How Big Are Great Horned Owls? Discover Their Size and Wingspan

Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) are large predatory birds that live across the Americas. They are some of the most common owls in the U.S. These beautiful birds are easily recognized by their large, barrel-shaped bodies and two feathered tufts on their heads. Their deep hoots are frequently heard during winter as they establish their territories. Let’s take a closer look at the great horned owl and learn about its size and wingspan.

How Big Is a Great Horned Owl?

Great horned owls are some of the largest true owls in the Americas. They are the largest owls in Central and South America and the largest tufted owl in North America. Three main factors contribute to the size differences among great horned owls. First, females are typically larger than males, which is common among birds of prey. Second, there are 15 recognized subspecies of great horned owl, with the largest being the Subarctic great horned owl (Bubo virginianus subarcticus) found in Canada. Third, regional differences also play a role in size discrepancies. In the U.S., the largest owls are found in the interior of Alaska, while populations in California (which include multiple subspecies) tend to be the smallest.

On average, great horned owls are 18.1 to 24.8 inches long and weigh between 2 and 5.5 pounds. Their wingspans range from 3.3 to 4.75 feet. Their long, strong talons require a force of 28 pounds to open. In short, the great horned owl’s size makes it a powerful and deadly predator.

Where Do Great Horned Owls Live?

Great horned owls are some of the most widespread owls in the world. In North America, they range as far north as Canada and Alaska. They cover the entire continental U.S. and all of Mexico. In Central America, they primarily live in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

In South America, great horned owls live along the northern coast of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname, and through Venezuela and Colombia. Their southern range begins in northern Bolivia and continues south into Paraguay, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

How Fast Can an Owl Fly?

On average, a great horned owl can fly at speeds of up to 40mph. When they aren’t fleeing or hunting, however, they generally fly speeds of around 25 mph. This makes them some of the fastest flyers in the owl family. Since owls generally rely on stealth, not speed, to catch their prey, they don’t need to be as fast as a hawk or eagle.

It is commonly believed that owls are silent flyers, and this is true! Most owl species have this capability, allowing them to drop down on prey with barely a sound. Several adaptations enable them to fly silently and land with deadly accuracy.

Great horned owls have wide, rounded wings, which aid in both agility and quick takeoffs. Their wing structure features serrations on the leading edge of their feathers, which disrupt airflow and prevent “whooshing” sounds during flight. They also have softer feathers that absorb noise and a trailing fringe of feathers that minimizes wind turbulence.

Another advantage owls have in flight is their slow wing beats and ability to fly at extremely slow speeds. Their wing structure allows a great horned owl to fly as slowly as 2 mph on a breeze. This slow-flying tactic helps them silently approach prey with remarkable success.