Búho Real
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Song
Great Horned Owl
Appearance: The Great Horned Owl is a large bird of prey known for its distinctive features: Approximately 18-25 inches in length. Ranges from 3.3 to 4.8 feet. Mottled gray-brown, with a white patch on the throat and horizontal barring on the chest. Striking yellow eyes. Prominent ear tufts that give it a "horned" appearance, though these are not actual ears.
Habitat: Found throughout the Americas, from the Arctic tundra to South America. Highly adaptable; lives in forests, swamps, deserts, and urban areas. In Colombia, they are often found in open landscapes, from lowlands to the Andean region.
Behavior: Carnivorous, feeding on a wide range of prey including rabbits, rodents, birds, and reptiles. Mostly nocturnal, using excellent night vision and silent flight to catch prey. Known for its deep, resonant hooting calls.
Breeding: Often uses old nests of other large birds, or will nest in tree cavities, cliffs, and even buildings. Typically lays eggs in late winter. Usually 2-3 eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: Not generally considered at risk.
Distribution
Andean Region:
Found in the Andean mountain range, they can inhabit elevations up to around 3,000 meters. They are commonly found in forests, agricultural areas, and even near human settlements within this region.
Caribbean Region:- Distributed in various habitats including dry forests and open areas. They are also found in the lowland regions, adapting to different environmental conditions.
Pacific Region: Present in the Pacific lowlands, where they inhabit forests and secondary growth areas. They are less common in the dense rainforest but can be found in areas with more open canopy.
Orinoquía Region** (Eastern Plains): Found in the savannas and gallery forests of the Llanos. This region provides a mix of open areas and forest patches suitable for their hunting and nesting. transitions to other types of vegetation.
Inter-Andean Valleys: Found in the valleys between the Andean mountain ranges, where a mix of forested areas and open landscapes provide suitable habitat for them.
Taxonomy
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Strigiformes
- Family: Strigidae
- Genus: Bubo
- Species: Bubo virginianus
Vocalization
Great Horned Owls are known for their distinctive hooting calls, which are often used for communication between mates, territory establishment, and signaling alarms. Their primary call is a series of deep, resonating hoots that can be described as "hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo." These calls are often heard at dusk and dawn, although they may call at any time of night.
