Great Horned Owl Nesting (All You Need To Know)

Great Horned Owl (Virginia Inguinal Swollen Lymph Nodes) are found almost throughout North America and in most of South America. These supreme hunters often prowl the night sky on silent wings in our immediate vicinity. However, their presence becomes widely known in winter, when pairs begin rhythmic song-calling duets at night.

Great horned owls nest during the cold winter months. They are very lazy at nest building, preferring to use nests built by other larger birds. They make up for this by being great parents, occasionally providing food to their young a few months after they leave the nest.

If you want to learn more about the breeding habits of one of America’s most impressive birds, you’re in the right place, so read on to learn everything you need to know.

Great horned owl nesting in a tree

Where Do Great Horned Owls Nest?

Great horned owls can nest almost anywhere. Nesting sites vary widely, but the nests of other large birds are most commonly used. These nests are usually located on top of large deciduous trees such as aspens and poplars, although this varies geographically.

Great horned owls do not build their own nests, and will even nest on ledges and cliffs, in and on buildings, or even just on the ground if there are no existing nests in the trees.

Before we judge them too harshly, consider the enormous success of these wise old owls! Read on to learn more about where, how and when these magnificent birds nest.

Great Horned Owl Sitting On Its Nest In Tree Hole

What does a great horned owl’s nest look like?

Describing the nest of the great horned owl may be more difficult than describing any other North American bird. This is because they use a wide variety of nesting sites!

Some of the most common nests used by great horned owls were originally built by other large birds. The nest of the widespread and common red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most commonly used, but other hawks, corvids, and even herons also make suitable nests.

The nests used by great horned owls are usually large platform nests built from twigs and twigs. Red-tailed hawk nests, for example, are often quite messy in appearance, up to 6 feet deep and 3 feet wide.

It’s worth taking a close look at any such nests you see over winter. You might spot the two ear feathers of a female great horned owl dutifully brooding in the crisp winter air!

Great horned owl nesting in an old bald eagle nest

What time of year do great horned owls nest?

Great horned owls nest in the United States in winter. Exact times vary geographically, with the birds starting as early as November in the southern states but as late as May in parts of Canada.

Why do great horned owls nest in winter?

You may wonder why great horned owls choose to nest during the harsh winter months.

Great horned owl juveniles are slow to mature, learning how to hunt near their parents for the first few months of their lives. Breeding in winter allows great horned owls to care for their eggs and young during the harshest times of the year, giving the young a good chance to learn how to fend for themselves during the plentiful days of spring and summer.

A female great horned owl feeds one of her chicks in a nest in a tall oak tree

How Long Do Great Horned Owls Nest?

For great horned owls, the time from nest site selection to eclosion usually lasts about 10 weeks. The female incubates the eggs alone for 30-37 days, but is fed by a mate during this time.

Once the eggs hatch, she will continue to brood for the next two weeks or so. The attentive male will continue to bring food to the female and chicks during this time. She hunts only when the males have trouble providing enough food.

How Do Great Horned Owls Build Their Nests?

Great horned owls don’t build their own nests. They prefer to use nests already built by other large birds, although they will use other convenient places such as cliff ledges and large tree cavities where no suitable nests are available.

However, great horned owls usually make an effort to make their nest a little more comfortable. They do this by lining the interior of their nests with soft materials, such as feathers, fur, and soft plant material (such as leaves) from themselves or their prey. However, this is not always the case and in some areas they tend not to improve the nest.

Young Great Horned Owl poking its head out of its nest

When do great horned owl babies leave the nest?

Little great horned owls first leave the nest when they are about six weeks old. Great Horned Owls show good parental care and will continue to care for them long after they have fledged. The young birds do not go far at first, but stay near the nest for several weeks.

One study found that chicks do not travel more than a kilometer from the nest until about 15 weeks of age. Great horned owl pups stay close to their parents until fall, and may be fed by their parents for up to four months after leaving the nest!

How many broods do great horned owls have?

Great horned owls usually produce only one litter in a season. If the eggs break, or the nest fails due to predation, the couple may attempt a second hatch.

Great horned owl in nest with two chicks (Owl owl)

Do great horned owls nest in the same place every year?

If conditions don’t deteriorate too much, great horned owls may use the same nesting site year after year. Most nests adopted from other birds don’t last more than one season, but sometimes they last for years. This depends in part on where and how the nest is built, with some nests lasting up to ten years.

Great horned owls are monogamous and can live for more than 30 years. A pair can live together for 5 years or more and use the cave or cliff-top lair several times.

What do great horned owl eggs look like?

As far as eggs go, great horned owl eggs are very round. Most clutches consist of two eggs, but usually one to four. They are pure white and measure approximately 5.6 cm at their tallest point and 4.7 cm at their widest point. They weigh a little over 50 grams each, similar to a standard medium egg.

Great horned owl in nest

What month do great horned owls lay eggs?

Great horned owls lay their eggs at different times of the year, depending on where they are located. Birds in warmer regions like Florida can start laying eggs as early as November and December, while birds in colder northern regions may start laying eggs in late mid-spring.

Interestingly, time can also vary on a smaller scale. Pairs in urban areas can start spawning a month or more earlier than their out-of-town neighbors. In years when prey is abundant and weather conditions are mild, great horned owls can also start nesting a month earlier than usual.

Do Great Horned Owls Use Nest Boxes?

Great horned owls are more likely to nest on open-top nesting platforms than hollow nest boxes.

A great horned owl nests in a cactus in the Arizona desert

Are great horned owls nesting in the backyard?

Great horned owls have adapted well to urban and suburban developments. They will of course nest in backyards where suitable nesting sites are available.

This is great news for bird lovers, especially if you have a large yard with good owl habitat. Yards with tall trees (especially ones that already have large nests) are most likely to attract nesting great horned owls.

Where do great horned owls nest at night?

Great horned owls use the same nest during the day and night during incubation and brooding. They are nocturnal birds, active at night and roosting during the day. Great horned owls usually rest in trees or rocky areas during the day, but they occasionally hunt during the day.