Great Horned Owl

(Bubo virginianus)

Arrived at Lakeside Nature Center on May 26, 1981.

This male great horned owl was found in Clay County, Missouri, with a gunshot wound to the wing.  He was brought to Lakeside Nature Center by the Missouri Department of Conservation.  Although surgery was performed on the injured wing, the gunshot had caused permanent damage.  The young owl had 'socialized' with humans during this period of recuperation and was trained to be handled.  This owl is a permanent resident at Lakeside and has been used in hundreds of programs to teach people about owls.

Natural history notes.

Great horned owls are found throughout North America.

They fly silently, hunting for rodents and other small mammals.

The tufts of feathers on the top of his head help identify this owl.  They are NOT ears.

Check out this owl's picture gallery.

For more information on American kestrels, check out the Critter Corner entry.