A dusty gray color, the Great Gray Owl has a large, flat facial disk and no ear tufts. The female incubates the eggs for about 28 days. They live primarily in dense forests, usually with pine or fir trees. These birds live throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They are incredibly large birds, and eat lots of rodents. A black spot on its chin surrounded with white marks on either side makes the Great Gray Owl look like it's wearing a bow tie. The Great Gray Owl is one of the most stealthy birds of prey and is known for its silent, discrete nature and ghostly characteristics. Good hearing allows the owl to accurately locate prey below several feet of snow. Cocking its head as it listens for the tunneling of rodents beneath deep snow, the Great Gray Owl, with its incredible hearing, can detect prey over 100 meters away. The Gray Owl, also known as the Great Gray Owl, is a large owl species that lives in the Northern Hemisphere. As a whole, their global population numbers are stable, though regional populations vary in number. Once the chicks replace their down with true feathers, they begin learning to fly. From its perch, the Great Gray Owl plunges through the snow to capture its prey. Most of the Great Gray Owl's diet is made up of small rodents like voles and pocket gophers. Both parents feed their young, tearing food into small pieces beforehand. Photo Gallery (17 pictures) Great Grays are imposing birds to say the least. They hunt a wide variety of foods, but most of their diet comes from small rodents. Occasionally, it will also eat small mammals, such as shrews, and birds. In the continental United States, the owl is found in the higher Rocky Mountains and in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. The species name nebulosa is derived from the Latin Nebulosus, meaning misty or foggy. In North America, they range from the northern United States into Canada and up to Alaska. These Owls are actually the longest owl species in the world, but the eagle owl and fish owl are heavier. In exchange for this extra exercise, the owls get yummy morsels of mouse, rat, and more. Variation in the diet of the Great Gray Owl, a specialist predator, at different levels of prey abundance in different biotopes was studied in the middle Transural region. After three to four weeks, the chicks leave the nest for good. They also get many opportunities to fly and stretch their wings both in and out of their enclosure. Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa St. Louis, Minnesota, United States Photo © Greg Hottman/Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab. Its great size is partly illusion: it has very thick fluffy plumage, and its body size is smaller than it would appear, so it preys mostly on tiny rodents. Human activity threatens this species in some areas. The female lays an average of two eggs per clutch, and incubates them for about a month. The Great Gray Owl is very reclusive and rarely seen by humans. The great grey owl's diet is made up of around 80-90% small rodents. The Great Gray Owl is a circumpolar species that generally makes its home in cooler, northern regions. This species has somewhat specific habitat preferences. To hunt, the Great Gray Owl perches on a tree overlooking an open area. Most Grays use abandoned nests rather than building their own. Errol, the old owl that served the Weasley family in the Harry Potter series, was a Great Gray Owl. Much of their habitat is in higher elevations or mountainous regions. What goes in, must come out, both ends! Gray Owls are large birds with sharp, hooked beaks and sharp talons. They also live in northeast Europe, and throughout Russia and northern China and Mongolia. They will also take some birds, including thrushes, grouse, and ducks. To hunt, the Great Gray Owl perches on a tree overlooking an open area. They tend to hover above the snow and plunge downward by breaking off the hard snow crust, while clenching the prey with their powerful feet. In the stillness of a cold mountain meadow the elusive giant quietly floats on broad wings across meadows and openings in evergreen forests. Some of their most common prey items include mice, voles, rats, gophers, lemmings, and chipmunks. Thanks to the great horned owl’s exceptional hunting skills and super strength, anything that moves in the darkness any animal at all, becomes the prey of the heaviest owl in Central America. Diet. Great Grey Owl ~ Strix nebulosa Introduction. Grays also hunt along the edges of Arctic tundra, meadows, bogs, and marsh, but always in close proximity to woodlands. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. They are quite large, and most individuals stand over two feet tall. Occasionally, it will also eat small mammals, such as shrews, and birds. In a nest made of sticks, the female lays 2 to 5 white eggs. In zoos, Gray Owls live in large enclosures with plenty of space for them to explore. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern. Often, the only sign a Great Gray Owl is in the area is a "plunge mark", an imprint in the snow from which the owl has taken its prey. Some owls even learn to fly from a glove to a perch, or from person to person, for these presentations. Occasionally, it will also eat small mammals, such as shrews, and birds. From its perch, the Great Gray Owl plunges through the snow to capture its prey. Different populations live in different regions within their overall range. It may also live near brackish tidal meadows. Unlike some species, like the great horned and screech owls, these birds do not have ear tufts. long, and their wingspan is a whopping 5 ft. across. Pairs of owls are most active at night. In the winter, the Great Gray Owl may live on the edge of woodlands, bordering open fields on which to hunt. However, though they are large, they are not particularly heavy for their size, and usually max out at 3.75 lbs. Like all owls, Grays are carnivores, and primarily feed on small animals. No, Gray Owls do not make good pets. The primary diet of great gray owls is rodents and such other small mammals. A big nightbird, haunting woods of the far north and certain high mountains of the west. This Owl is the provincial bird emblem of Manitoba, Canada. Once the chicks hatch, both parents hunt and bring them food. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Did You Know? Chicks in this stage can be seen walking on the top of their nest flapping their wings. If she accepts the male, the pair defends a territory and finds a suitable nest. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. They hunt a wide variety of foods, but most of their diet comes from small rodents. Humans have not domesticated Gray Owls in any way. Habitat destruction is the most pressing danger to this bird, as they live only in densely wooded areas. It prefers to make a nest in large, old pine and fir trees in spots far from human development. This species hunts by perching next to an open area, and listening carefully for any movement before swooping down on their prey. As their name suggests, these birds have gray plumage, with light colored dappling. Good hearing allows the owl to accurately locate prey below several feet of snow. Most of the Great Gray Owl's diet is made up of small rodents like voles and pocket gophers. Additionally, it is also illegal in most places to own any owl species as a pet. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. They have grey feathers, and their faces are quite round. It is found in parts of northern Europe and Asia and can be found in North America from Alaska throughout much of Canada and into portions of the United States, including a … T he great horned owl’s diet is probably as diverse as its habitat.Over time the owl has evolved to occupy its ecological niche by expanding the food base. This ‘Phantom of the north’, the largest owl, is a rare but magnificent sight to watch. To hunt, the Great Gray Owl perches on a tree overlooking an open area. Diet of the Gray Owl Like all owls, Grays are carnivores, and primarily feed on small animals. Most of the Great Gray Owl's diet is made up of small rodents like voles and pocket gophers. Zookeepers train many owl species to stand on a glove for educational presentations. Their populations are somewhat fragmented based on available habitat. The Great Gray Owl is a dapper owl dressed in a gray suit with a bow tie across its neck and a surprised look on its face. 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