Great Horned Owl Plumage Phases or Morphs

Year 11, ,

In my post published earlier this morning I wrote about Great Horned Owl variations in plumage color … often called “phases” or “morphs”. While I’m sure most birders understand the concept, it can be helpful to see the different variations next to each other.

First in this post you have the “Desert or Southwest Phase” Great Horned Owl which I saw yesterday afternoon in the Sonoran Desert a bit north of Tucson. Here is that bird and its grayish / white feather colorations which tends to match its habitat found in the desert

Second I present the “Arctic Phase” Great Horned Owl which tends to be found in the northern Canadian Boreal Forest I saw this owl and its youngster during the June of 2023 in Alberta. This owl’s feathers are more white which helps for winter camouflage during that long season of the year.

In closing here is my own “Boreal Forest Phase” Great Horned Owl which tends to be the most common in North America, and helps the owl blend in with its forest habitat.  This bird is the female Great Horned Owl that has nested six years straight near my home in northern Minnesota. You will note this owl’s feather coloration is much more brown and gray. Note how the coloration blends with the white pine tree in which it is perched.

If you wish to reach more about the Great Horned Owl, browse to Cornell’s All About Birds web service. This link will take you to the identification page for Great Horned Owls. Regional Differences including plumage color or phases is discussed towards the bottom of the web page.

Golden Hour Desert Queen Owl!

Year 11

During a hike at Catalina State Park yesterday afternoon in the Sonoran Desert I found this Great Horned Owl preparing for the evening hunt. Its feather plumage was fun to see … grayish white which the Cornell School of Ornithology recognizes as a “desert or SW phase” plumage color (scroll down to regional differences of the Cornell website). This coloration makes great sense given all the grays in its desert environment. Based upon the size of this individual owl I believe it is a female.

Watch my video of this owl starting its late afternoon hunt (video link for email subscribers)

Birding During Minnesota’s Deer Hunting Season

Year 11

The Minnesota Deer Firearm Deer Hunting Season is from November 9th to 24th. Birding (or just plain hiking) during the hunt is perfectly safe if you follow these rules:

  • Always wear a blaze orange / red jacket or sweatshirt during hunting season … no exceptions! A bright hat is not sufficient.
  • If you see cars or trucks parked along a rural road, bird or hike elsewhere (over 1 mile away). Unlike when I was a boy, and hunters often walked / tracked deer, almost all deer hunting in today’s modern era is done from tree stands. In other words hunters are stationary.
  • If you truly understand what consists of “bog habitat”, birding this area is more safe because white-tailed deer generally hate bogs, and smart deer hunters understand this fact. It makes no sense to hunt where the number of deer are low. I love birding Boreal Bogs in November. No bugs, and sometimes lots of owls!!!
  • While deer hunters are responsible, I tend to avoid “opening morning” on Nov. 9th. Many hunting groups have deer camps in northern Minnesota, and the night before opener can involve partying.

The hunting tradition in northern Minnesota is a great one. While I no longer hunt, I understand and support my friends who enjoy this time in the outdoors. With a common sense approach, being outside in November should not be avoided.