Yes, the great horned owl is found throughout the state of Illinois. The great horned owl is one of the most common owls in North America and can be found in a variety of habitats in Illinois, including rural areas, suburbs, and even city parks.
Quick Facts About Great Horned Owls in Illinois
Here are some key facts about great horned owls in Illinois:
- Habitat: Great horned owls live in many different habitats in Illinois, including woodlands, swamps, deserts, and rocky canyons. They are very adaptable.
- Range: Found throughout the state of Illinois.
- Nesting: Nest in a natural tree cavity, a nest built by another animal, or an artificial platform. They start nesting very early, sometimes as early as January.
- Diet: Eats a wide variety of prey including rabbits, squirrels, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, bats, skunks, and raccoons. They are opportunistic hunters.
- Distinctive Features: Distinguished by conspicuous ear tufts, large yellow eyes, and powerful talons. Mottled brown and tan plumage provides camouflage.
- Wingspan: wingspan ranges from about 3.5 to 5 feet across.
- Conservation Status: Least concern. Population appears stable.
Physical Description
The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl native to North and South America. It has distinctive plumage, with prominent ear tufts, a white throat patch, and barring on its underside:
- Size: 18-25 inches tall with a wingspan of 3.5-5 feet
- Plumage: Upperparts are mottled gray-brown. Underside is light with brown horizontal barring. Throat is white.
- Facial Disk: Facial disk is reddish-brown with concentric gray rings around the eyes.
- Ear Tufts: Signature ear tufts are made of 6-8 feathers up to 2 inches long.
- Eyes: Large yellow eyes situated directly under ear tufts.
- Beak: Hooked black beak.
- Feet: Powerful feet with sharp black talons up to 2 inches long.
Males and females have similar plumage. Females are larger than males on average. Juveniles have a downy gray appearance before developing adult plumage by 4 months old.
Behaviors and Hunting
Great horned owls are well-adapted nocturnal predators. Here are some key facts about their behaviors and hunting strategies:
- Nocturnal: Primarily active at night.
- Perches: Spends days roosting in trees or other sheltered spots.
- Territorial: Defends a breeding territory, typically 100-200 acres.
- Courtship: Males perform aerial displays and calls to attract a mate.
- Prey: Uses exceptional hearing and vision to locate prey. Feeds on mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
- Hunting: Uses a perch-and-wait hunting style. Powerful talons can exert 500 psi of pressure.
- Flight: Strong flier capable of swift, silent flight despite large size.
Great horned owls are fierce predators that play an important role in local ecosystems. Their adaptable hunting skills help regulate prey species.
Habitat and Range
Great horned owls utilize a diversity of habitats across their range:
- Habitats: Found in many habitat types including forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, parks, and suburban areas.
- Range: Resident across much of North and South America. One of the most widely distributed owls.
- In Illinois: Found statewide across rural and urban areas.
Within their habitats, great horned owls seek out areas that provide good opportunities for nesting, roosting and hunting:
- Nesting: Nest in tree cavities, rock crevices, ledges, or old stick nests built by other birds.
- Roosting: Favor secluded spots like dense tree branches that conceal them.
- Hunting: Seek areas with good vantage points like poles, snags, or large branches near open areas.
Breeding and Reproduction
Great horned owls nest early in winter or spring in Illinois:
- Breeding Season: Begins nesting December-March in Illinois.
- Nest Sites: Does not build its own nest. Uses existing sites like tree cavities, ledges, or old hawk/heron nests.
- Eggs: Lays 1-3 dull white eggs over 1-2 days.
- Incubation: Eggs incubated for 30-35 days solely by female.
- Hatchlings: Owlets hatch every 1-2 days and weigh only 2 ounces.
- Development: Fledged by 6-7 weeks but dependent on parents into summer.
The early breeding season ensures offspring hatch in time for spring’s abundance of prey. Both parents fiercely defend nest sites and provide food for owlets.
Population and Conservation
Great horned owls are common across their range. Population trends appear stable:
- Population Estimate: About 1.4 million in North America.
- Population Trend: Population stable and may be increasing in some regions.
- Threats: Habitat loss and pesticides pose threats but adaptable nature helps offset risks.
- Conservation Status: Least concern and not considered globally threatened.
In Illinois, great horned owls thrive across urban and rural areas. They are well-adapted to live close to humans. Backyard nest boxes and habitat conservation help support local populations.
Interactions with Humans
Great horned owls occasionally interact with humans across their range:
- Urban Areas: Well-adapted to live close to humans including in urban parks and yards.
- Birdwatching: A popular species for birders to observe due to large size and distinct calls.
- Falconry: May be used in falconry in some regions.
- Pest Control: Help control rodent and other pest populations.
- Risks: Can be aggressive during nesting season but attacks on humans are extremely rare.
In Illinois, great horned owls provide natural rodent control and are sought out by birdwatchers. Nest boxes and habitat conservation provide opportunities for positive human interactions.
Key Facts and Summary
In summary, key facts about great horned owls in Illinois include:
- Range: Found year-round throughout Illinois in diverse habitats.
- Identification: Distinctive ear tufts, barring, large yellow eyes and powerful talons.
- Habits: Nocturnal predators that sit-and-wait to ambush prey.
- Diet: Extremely varied including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
- Breeding: Nest December-March with nestlings fledging by early summer.
- Conservation: Common and populations appear stable statewide.
Great horned owls are iconic Illinois birds that thrive across the state. Their versatility as predators allows them to make their home in urban, suburban and rural areas. Continued conservation and habitat management will help ensure great horned owls remain a key part of Illinois’ avian diversity.
