Big Owls...

 

Great Horned Owl

Photo by BarrytheBirder

The biggest owls in eastern North America are the Great Horned Owl, the Snowy Owl (during winter visits), and the Barred Owl.   These large birds of prey have heavy bodies, broad wings, and strong hunting skills.

The Great Horned Owl (22") is the most common large resident owl in the east.   It weighs up 3.5 to 5.5 lbs. and has a wingspan of up to five feet.   The feather tufts on its head look like horns.

Snowy Owl

Photo by BarrytheBirder

This giant white owl (23") visits eastern Canada and the northern United States during the winter.    It is slightly heavier on average than the Great Horned Owl and hunts in open fields during the day.

Barred Owl

Photo by BarrytheBirder

This resident eastern Owl (21") is slightly smaller than the Great Horned Owl.   It features brown and white barred feathers, dark eyes, and a loud call that sounds like "who cooks for you".

The Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) (27") is the largest species of owl by length, but not the heaviest, owl in North America, as well as both eastern and western hemispheres.

Miscellanea...

The Great Gray Owl is widely noted as the tallest owl ny length, reaching up to 2 feet 9 inches (approx. 84 cm) though it is mostly fluffy feathers rather than body mass.

The Eurasian Eagle -Owl stands up to roughly 2.5 to 3 feet tall with a massive 6-to-7-foot wingspan, making it one of the most powerful and largest owls overall.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder