The Great Horned Owl Nest
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Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl Nest Location
Charlo, Montana  

Featured Video Clips
Q & A with Denver Holt
A Mother's Warmth
Risks Include Falls
Preparing to Fly
Dinner Time
On Watch

For the Classroom
Viewing Guide

Welcome to the treetops of Charlo, Montana, where a great horned owl family nests. This live cam is where the Owl Research Institute studies owl behavior and ecology in an effort to promote the species' conservation. A powerful and adaptable bird of prey, the Great Horned Owl has the most extensive range, the widest prey base and the most variable nesting sites of any American owl.

 


Background
Great horned owls are named for the prominent tufts of feathers on top of their heads that resemble horns. These tufts are called "plumicorns" and are what make this species of owl so unique.

With a range that stretches from as far north as Alaska all the way down to South America's Strait of Magellan, the magnificent great horned owl has the largest range of any owl in the Americas.

Great Horned Owls lay 1-4 eggs, but in this nest in Charlo, Montana, 2-3 eggs is most common. The eggs typically hatch about 2 days apart.

Great Horned Owl chicks will stay in the nest for the first several weeks. By June, at 7 weeks of age, the owlets will be capable of short flights. Fledglings remain with parents for most of the summer.

 

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