Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)
The Great Grey Owl, a circumpolar bird of northern forests, is often considered the largest species of owl in Canada. Appearances can be deceiving. It is, in fact, typically outweighed by both the Great Horned (Bubo virginianus) and Snowy (Nyctea scandiaca) owls. A Great Grey can weigh between 800 and 1700g (depending on gender and health) - a formidable size for any bird - but its imposing appearance is actually created by a dense layer of feathering designed to maintain body temperature. It isn't surprising then, to note that a Great Grey's feet are small and weak in comparison to the stocky Great Horned Owl. Greys prey on rodents; mice, voles and lemmings being their main sources of food. These seemingly large, powerful predators can not take down water birds such as ducks or geese and do not have the strength to kill a cat. Size: 60-83 cm (similar to Turkey Vulture). Description: Large facial disks. Mottled gray/brown on the back and wings, heavy vertical gray streaks on underparts. The amount of brown colouration increases with age. Range: British Columbia, the territories, prairie provinces, and northern Ontario throughout the year; southern Ontario and Quebec in some winters. Habitat: Northern forests, especially with clearings nearby for hunting. Nest: Abandoned nest of hawks or crows, or on a tree stump. Voice: Series of deep hoots, rarely heard. Diet: Mostly voles and other small mammals; occasionally birds. Behaviour: Primarily nocturnal, but often hunts during the day, especially during the winter and while feeding young. Notes: Canada’s largest owl, though not nearly as heavy as a Great Horned Owl or Snowy Owl. May plunge through as much as 30 cm of snow to capture rodents detected by sound. Great Greys are known for their huge parabolic facial discs which they use to help locate and capture prey. Concentric rings extend from their bright yellow eyes. The white chin bib adds to their "wise" and "dignified" appearance.
Size: 3408px × 5131px
Location: Vancouver Island BC Britsh Columbia North America Canada
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: america, beak, birds, canadian, carnivores, claws, diurnal, dweller, eater, flesh, food, forest, great, grey, hunter, large, largest, lemmings, mammals, mice, noctunal, north, ornithology, owl, predator, prey, raptor, rats, sharp, silent, small, squirrels, talons, voles
