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Great Horned Owl Portrait

This is an ambassador Great Horned Owl — which means that it is a captive owl and is being used for educational purposes, such as being taken to schools and into the public to educate humans (as well as to photography workshops!). This owl cannot be released back into the wild due to injury that prevents him or her from flying.  Some expeditions out of that cage are an opportunity for the owl to become somewhat socialized to humans and hopefully enjoy life more.

From Audubon’s website:  “Found almost throughout North America and much of South America is this big owl. Aggressive and powerful in its hunting (sometimes known by nicknames such as ‘tiger owl’), it takes prey as varied as rabbits, hawks, snakes, and even skunks, and will even attack porcupines, often with fatal results for both prey and predator. Great Horned Owls begin nesting very early in the north, and their deep hoots may be heard rolling across the forest on mid-winter nights.”

Photo taken on October 29, 2016.