How Big Are Great Horned Owls? (Hoot Owl: Wingspan + Size)

Great horned owl (Virginia Inguinal Swollen Lymph Nodes) is one of the most widespread bird species in North America. They are the largest species of owl that a bird watcher is likely to encounter across most of the continent.

These powerful nocturnal hunters occur in most habitats and have adapted well to human-altered environments such as farmland, suburban, and even urban environments. So how big is a great horned owl?

The great horned owl is probably the second largest owl in the United States. They are slightly smaller than snowy owls and slightly larger than great gray owls. The great horned owl can reach lengths of more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) and weigh up to 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms).

Female great horned owls are much larger than males, a common characteristic of owls and other birds of prey. Females also have a larger wingspan than males, although the difference is not as pronounced as in weight.

There are at least 15 great horned owl subspecies, each in a different geographic area. Within its wide range, the largest great horned owl in North America occurs in Alaska and the far northeast.

They become progressively smaller from north to south, with the smallest individuals occurring in Mexico. This interesting relationship between body size and latitude can be seen in many bird species and is thought to be an adaptation to colder climates.

Read on to learn more about the size of one of America’s most iconic birds, the great horned owl.

The Great Horned Owl is the second largest owl in the United States

Great Horned Owl Wingspan

The great horned owl has a wingspan of 101-145 cm (39.8 to 57.1 in). The large variance is due to the species’ pronounced sexual dimorphism and body size differences between the various subspecies.

Great horned owls don’t have particularly long wings, but they are capable of fairly high-speed flight at around 40 miles per hour.

The leading and trailing edges of their broad wings are lined with finely textured feathers. These feathers dampen the sound of wind blowing against their wings, which allows these nocturnal hunters to swoop undetected.

Great Horned Owl’s large wingspan

great horned owl weight

Great horned owls are large, hulking owls. On average, females of each subspecies are significantly heavier than males.

• Average female weight: 3.76 pounds (1706 grams)
• Average male weight: 1304 grams (2.87 pounds)
• Weight Range: 1.5 – 5.5 lbs (680g – 2503g)

How big is a great horned owl compared to a human?

Great horned owls are much lighter than they appear, with an average weight of about 3.5 pounds (1.5 kilograms). Their long legs and bulky plumage give the appearance of a large barrel-shaped bird measuring about 2 feet (60 centimeters) from tail to beak. Their length is equivalent to the knee height of an average person or a baby around 3 months old.

Great horned owls are a fraction of our size, but their eyes are remarkably large. In fact, their eyes are similar in size to human eyes. These owls use their large, light-sensitive eyes to help them detect prey in low-light conditions.

Great horned owls also have large feet and long claws. When fully extended, their feet can measure a whopping 8 inches (20 cm) or so from tip to tip. This is comparable to an adult’s hand.

These owls use their large feet and sharp talons to grab and kill prey with a powerful grip of about 28 pounds (13 kilograms). Not bad for a bird weighing only 2-5 lbs!

Close-up of a perched great horned owl, also known as a owl

How big is the largest great horned owl?

The largest great horned owl ever recorded was a female weighing 5.5 pounds (2503 grams). This specimen belongs to the Northeast subspecies, B. v. Virginianus.

How big an animal can a great horned owl pick up?

There is little concrete evidence of how much the great horned owl was able to lift. However, they have been reported to be able to lift prey several times their body weight.

Great horned owls are capable of killing animals much larger than they are, but will forage on the ground when their prey is too large to carry away.

The heaviest prey they can carry for any distance is probably half their own body weight or about 1 to 2 pounds.

Great Horned Owl in flight with wings spread

Why are great horned owls so big?

Great horned owls are members of the genus Bubo, a group of 18 species of large owls that live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. When the sun goes down, these owls take over the role of larger birds of prey such as hawks and hawks.

The great horned owl’s size allows it to hunt a variety of prey. In fact, these birds target the most diverse species of owl in North America. They often hunt animals the size of hares and large waterfowl, and killing such large prey requires large claws and the effective use of their size and strength.

However, great horned owls do not give up small prey. They will happily feed on prey as small as insects. Having such a wide range of prey is certainly part of their great success, and has allowed them to adapt to numerous habitats from the far north of Alaska to the southern tip of South America.

Great horned owl in its natural habitat in a forest in southwestern Washington state

Compared to other birds, the great horned owl

Great horned owls are one of the largest owl species in the United States, but how do they stack up against other birds in the United States and other parts of the world? Read on to find out.

The great horned owl is similar in size to the other two North American owls. They are about the same length as snowy owls, but slightly lighter. Great horned owls are considerably heavier than the next largest species, the great gray owl, although their body length is slightly shorter than that of that species.

It’s fair to say that the great horned owl is one of the largest owl species in the world, although some species grow much larger. The similar-looking Eurasian horned owl and the eastern Asian striped fish owl can weigh an impressive 10 pounds (4.6 kilograms).

The great horned owl is similar in size to the red-tailed hawk, a common and widespread bird of prey in North America. The two birds are thought to occupy similar ecological niches, only differing in when they are active.

Close up portrait of a great horned owl

Is the great horned owl the largest eagle in North America?

Great horned owls are not technically eagles, although owls in their genus are commonly known as eagle owls in other parts of the world. The great horned owl is the second-heaviest owl in North America by weight and the third-largest by length.

Can a great horned owl pick up a human?

Great horned owls are very large birds, but they are too small to hold a human. At only around 3.5 pounds (1.5 kilograms), they’re unlikely to hold a human infant.