The Great Horned Owl is found throughout all of North America and reaching down into some parts of South America. They are probably the most recognizable species of owl because of the two tufts of feathers that sit on the top of their head, giving them the appearance of cat-like ears. They are also known for the classic “owl hoot” which is assumed to be from most owl species but really belongs solely to this species of owl.
Great Horned Owls are much more of a predator than opossums and way less likely to be digging through your trash for their next meal. They will hunt anything from falcons and other species of owls to smaller prey like frogs and rodents. To help with their hunting, great horned owls are far-sighted, giving them awesome sight high up while flying, and they are able to fly completely silent.
While not impossible, it’s going to be harder to find these birds in your backyard than an opossum. Why? Well, like the opossums, they are nocturnal and will only be out at night. But remember, they fly almost completely silent, so you probably won’t know when one is flying overhead.
However, in January and February, keep an eye out for some nesting activity in your backyard. You might get lucky enough to have one choose your home for a good nesting space. They will usually use nests built by other animals, or hollow trees, but not building a nest for themselves.
