- Strix nebulosa
Identification
- L. 24-33" (61-84 cm)
- W. 5' (1.5 m)
- Huge
- Dusky gray
- Yellow eyes
- Large facial disks
- Distinctive black chin spot bordered by white patches (resembles a bow tie)
- One of the most elusive of birds, the Great Gray was discovered in America by Europeans before they realized that the species also occurs in Europe.
Similar Species
Barred Owl and Spotted Owl are smaller, stockier, and browner, with dark eyes.
Distribution
North America: Resident from Alaska and across interior Canada south to northern California, northern Wyoming, Minnesota, and Quebec. In winter wanders rarely southward into northern New England and Great Lakes region.
Eurasia: Boreal forest zone from northern Scandinavia and the Baltic States to eastern Siberia.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognized[2]:
- S. n. nebulosa:
- Boreal forests of northern North America
- S. n. lapponica:
Habitat
Coniferous forests and muskeg.
Behaviour
Like other owls of the Far North, this species hunts during the day, often watching for prey from a low perch. Because it spends much of its time in dense conifers, it is often overlooked.
References
- König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Grey Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 December 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Grey_Owl
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
