The Great Gray Owl is one of the largest birds of prey in North America. It’s a majestic creature that can be recognized by its enormous size, striking facial disc, and piercing yellow eyes. In this blog post, we will delve into some interesting details about this fascinating bird.
## Basic Description
The Great Gray Owl belongs to the family Strigidae and has the scientific name Strix nebulosa. It is a big bird with an average length of 27 inches and weighs around 2-3 pounds. Its wingspan can stretch up to 5 feet wide! The owl’s feathers are grayish-brown in color with white spots on its body and dark stripes on its head.
## Where To Find This Bird
Great Gray Owls live across northern parts of North America – Canada, Alaska, and some areas in Washington state. They prefer dense forests or taiga habitats where they can find ample food sources such as mice or rodents.
## Habitat
Great Gray Owls spend most of their time perched atop trees or flying through forested areas hunting for prey. During nesting season (January-April), they build nests out of twigs high up in trees making it difficult for predators to access them.
## Food
The Great Grey Owl primarily feeds on small mammals like voles, shrews, hares as well as other birds like grouse or ptarmigan. Unlike other owls who hunt at night-time hours only; the great grey owl hunts during daylight hours too which makes it easier for people to spot them while exploring nature trails!
## Cool Facts
– Despite their large size, these owls have very soft feathers which help absorb sound while flying
– They rely heavily on their fantastic hearing abilities due to nocturnal predation.
– The great grey owl has asymmetrical ear placement – one ear is slightly higher than the other giving it better directional hearing capabilities!
– Although they’re not endangered, these majestic birds are still threatened by habitat loss and deforestation.
In conclusion, the Great Gray Owl is a beautiful creature that is worth exploring. Next time you find yourself in the forests of North America, keep your eyes peeled for this awe-inspiring bird!
