Great Gray Owl - Ross Feldner

The Great Gray Owl is the tallest owl in North America and one of its most mysterious and fascinating birds. Reclusive and rarely seen, this owl is considered a “great” quest for any birder. Although the Great Gray Owl is one of the largest North American owls, much of its size is an illusion as it is mostly a ball of feathers.

Great Gray Owls live in the western forests and boreal regions of America and are fearsome hunters. Despite weighing only 2.5 pounds, they can break through hard packed snow to snatch small mammals. They hunt voles, moles, weasels, grouse, quail, ducks, frogs and even large beetles.

The Great Gray Owl is listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. A 2015 study in California estimated there were fewer than 300 in the state at that time.

They frequently hunt from a low listening post which can be a stump, low tree limb, fence post, or road sign, waiting and listening for prey then swooping down. Like many other owls their facial discs focus sound and assist them in locating prey. The harvesting of timber is the greatest threat to this rare species. Other threats include rodenticide use, vehicle collisions and the West Nile virus.