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Great Gray Owl

Introduction

With piercing yellow eyes, a ghostly face, and a massive wingspan, the Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) is both majestic and mysterious. Often called the Phantom of the North, this owl glides silently through dense forests in search of prey, rarely seen but deeply respected by birders and wildlife lovers alike.

In this post, we’ll explore where to find the Great Gray Owl, what it eats, and why it’s one of North America’s most fascinating raptors.

Where Does the Great Gray Owl Live?

The Great Gray Owl prefers remote boreal forests and mountain meadows. It’s found across:

Canada and Alaska
Parts of the Northern Rockies
Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Occasionally in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and even California’s Sierra Nevada

This owl favors dense evergreen forests near open areas like bogs or meadows where it can hunt.

Size and Appearance

The Great Gray Owl is North America's tallest owl—but don’t be fooled! Much of its size is due to fluffy feathers.

Length: 24–33 inches (61–84 cm)
Wingspan: Up to 5 feet (152 cm)
Weight: 1.5 to 3.5 pounds (700–1,600 grams)

Key features:

Large, circular facial disk with white "bow tie" pattern under the beak
No visible ear tufts
Long tail and broad wings
Gray plumage with fine white and dark streaks

Despite its size, the Great Gray Owl is lighter than the Snowy Owl or Great Horned Owl because it has less muscle mass and bone density.

What Does the Great Gray Owl Eat?

The Great Gray Owl is a rodent specialist, relying heavily on its incredible hearing to detect prey beneath the snow.

Main diet:

Voles (favorite food)
Mice and shrews
Occasionally small birds, rabbits, or squirrels

This owl can dive into snow up to 18 inches deep to grab its prey—earning it a reputation as one of the best hunters in cold climates.

Nesting and Breeding

The Great Gray Owl doesn’t build its own nests. Instead, it uses:

Abandoned hawk or raven nests
Broken treetops
Occasionally man-made nest platforms

Breeding season begins in late winter or early spring, depending on food availability. The female lays 2 to 5 eggs and does all the incubating while the male hunts.

Chicks hatch after about 30 days and fledge in 3–4 weeks.

What Does a Great Gray Owl Sound Like?

Their call is deep, soft, and spaced out:

“Whooooo... whooooo... whooooo”

These hoots are less frequent and harder to hear than those of a Great Horned Owl. Most vocal activity happens during the breeding season at dawn or dusk.

Where to See Great Gray Owls in the U.S.

They’re elusive, but birders have spotted them in:

Northern Minnesota (especially Sax-Zim Bog)
Montana (Yellowstone National Park)
Idaho and Oregon
California (in the Sierra Nevada)
Alaska (mostly interior forests)

The best time to see them is winter, when some owls migrate southward or to lower elevations in search of food.

Fun Facts About the Great Gray Owl

Ghost-like presence: It’s often silent in flight and blends easily into its forest habitat.
Can hunt by sound: Their facial disk is so sensitive, they can locate prey beneath deep snow.
Largest owl by length: Though not the heaviest, it’s the tallest owl in North America.
Relies on old nests: They never build their own!
Snow-loving: Adapted to cold, northern climates, including subarctic regions.

Conclusion

The Great Gray Owl is a symbol of strength, stealth, and wilderness mystery. Rarely seen but unforgettable when spotted, this towering bird represents the beauty of North America's wild northern forests. Whether you’re birdwatching in Montana or hiking through Minnesota’s snow-covered woods, keep your eyes peeled for this gray ghost of the trees.

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