Animal Classification

Animal Classification

  

Definition: The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air") or the hoot owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.

     Taxonomy Rank

v  Kingdom: Animalia

v Phylum: Chordata
v Class: Aves
v Order:  Stringiformes 

v Family : Strigidae

v Genus: Bubo (eurasian eagle-owl)
v Species : B. virginianus

         

                                                1. Anatomy

·       Height :2ft (females are 10-20% larger than males)

·       Length: 46-63 cm

·       Weight: 2.7 kg

·       Wings: rounded and broad

·       Wingspan: 101 – 145 cm

·       Thick- bodied owls with two prominent feathered tuffs on the head that looks like horns

·       Eyes: big like a cat Eyes.

·       Feather: grey, white, brown, and black that looks like a bark of a tree that with reddish brown faces and a neat white patch on the throat

               2.Habitat

·       County, places: from the forest in the south arctic to north, central and south America

·       Specific places: woodlands, along cliffs, canyon, and at the edge of forest

·       Specific characteristic of the places: northern population migrate in winter, but more live permanently in more temperate climes such as fields, wetland, pastures, croplands, and more.

3.  Diet / Food (Hunting)  

·       Carnivore

·       They hunt small mammals: mice, rabbits, squirrels, and skunks

·       They eat birds: duck and quail

·       They have incredible digestive system

·       They are efficient night time hunters

4. Life Cycle

·       January and early February is mating time

·       The male  and female call each other during courtship

·       Typically nest in trees such as cotton wood, juniper, beech, pine, and other

·       They usually adopt other birds nest but they also use cavities in live trees dead snag, deserted buildings, and human-made platforms

·       Incubate: for about 30-34 days

·       They usually lays 2-3 eggs

·       Nesting period: 42 days

·       Clutch size :

·       Number of broods: 1 brood

·       Egg length : 5,3- 5,6 cm

·       Egg width: 4,5 – 4,7 cm

·       Egg description: dull white & nearly spherical, with a rough surface

·       Condition at Hatching: Helpless, with closed eyes , pink skin, & white down on upper part

·       Hatch : after 4 weeks

·       They are very protective parents and will attack intruders

·       They young owls leave the nest : between 1 &2 months old

·       They can fly: when they are 9-10 weeks old

5. Habit ( Behavior )

·      They are nocturnal

·      They have excellent hearing and eyesight help them hunt at night

·      It’s loosely- packed feathers makes it almost silent when it flies. This makes it easier to sneak up on it’s prey

·      They are active mostly during the night ­­– especially at dusk and before dawn
In the winter they may hunt during daylight hours

·      Their respond to intruders/ threats :

o  Bill-clapping

o  Hisses

o  Screams

o  Guttural noises

o  Eventually spreading their wings & striking with their feet if the threat escalates

·      They may kill other member of their own species

·      Mate pairs are monogamous & defend their territories with vigorous hooting

·      Both members of a pair may stay within the territory outside of the breeding season, but they roost separately

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q4LQbtTqf9C1JB0wnbhyXIAIeRKKMINb4wIpefc3VYU/edit#slide=id.p