Bubo virginianus
SUBFAMILY
Striginae, Tribe Bubonini
TAXONOMY
Strix virginiana J.F. Gmelin, 1788, Virginia. Twelve races are
tentatively identified.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Grand-duc d’Amйrique; German: Virginiauhu; Spanish:
Bъho Americano.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
20–23.6 in (51–60 cm). Female, 2.2–5.5 lb (1,000–2,500 g).
Male, 1.5–3.2 lb (680–1,450 g). A large, powerful owl with a
rust-colored facial disc, large, erect ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a
white chin and throat. Upperparts are grayish to gray-brown,
mottled and barred. Underparts are brownish with a reddish
tinge, also mottled. The fully feathered legs and feet are buff
to tawny.
DISTRIBUTION
Alaska to Hudson Bay through the United States, Mexico, and
Central America; in South American from Colombia to the
Guianas, Bolivia to northeastern Brazil and south to east-central
Argentina.
HABITAT
Every type of woodland, farmland, desert with scrub, mountainous
areas, mangroves, and urban areas.
BEHAVIOR
Mainly resident and territorial. Makes deep hooting calls to announce
its presence. Hunts mostly at dusk or during the night,
occasionally during the day.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Still hunts from a perch; makes shallow, gliding drops to its
prey; very rapacious. Takes a huge variety of prey including
birds as large geese, mammals (up to 90% of its diet), fish,
snakes, insects, and even other owls.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Utilizes old nests of other large birds, or nests in hollows in
trees and, sometimes, in caves or among tree roots. The breeding
season varies from December to July because of this owl’s
wide range. It tends to breed earlier than other owls in the
same locality. Lays one to three eggs. Incubation is 28–30 days.
Young remain in the nest for 35–45 days and are cared for by
their parents for up to five months.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not globally threatened. It is a very common owl throughout
its range.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
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