About the Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a species of bird in the Owls family (Strigidae), within the order Strigiformes. This family contains 228 recognized species worldwide.
Use the eBird species code grhowl when logging sightings in eBird or other citizen science platforms.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Owls (Strigidae) |
| Species | Bubo virginianus |
| Species Codes | grhowl, GHOW |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Great Horned Owl belong to?
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) belongs to the Owls family (Strigidae), in the order Strigiformes.
How can I identify the Great Horned Owl?
The Great Horned Owl is a member of the Owls family. Check field guides or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier for help.
Where can I report a Great Horned Owl sighting?
You can log sightings of Great Horned Owl on eBird (ebird.org) using species code grhowl, or on iNaturalist.