August 2008 - Great Horned Owl |
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| Bubo virginianus |
The Great Horned Owl, a permanent resident across most of North America is Alberta's provincial bird. It likes to hunt mice, rabbits, grouse and even skunks, tolerating the odor due to its poor sense of smell.
Like all owls, the eyes are fixed in place and so to look around, the head must swivel around. Owls are able to turn their necks 180 degrees.
The "horns" of the Great Horned Owl are really just tufts of feathers - not ears as many people think.
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