Owl identification?

[rawhide]

Need some help from the bird experts identifying this one and curious what it is after. 4 of past 5 evenings this one was on the ground under an elm tree in my backyard. When he sees me he flies to a perch and waits for me to leave. Is he after bugs or grubs, etc.?

While the horns are not easy to identify as they were on the couple I've seen in my life, I think this is a Great Horned.

The pictures are not great. The perch pic is a long way away and low light. The others are taken through my patio door.

 

[Perplexed]

About how tall is it?

 

[rawhide]

About how tall is it?

Looks about 16" on the ground, looks larger perched in a tree. Very large wing span in flight. Very stocky build. The few that I've seen that I'm certain were Great Horned looked taller, but the face is similar and I don't know owls that well.

 

[GC7]

They are good tenants. Take care of mice and squirrels.

 

[rawhide]

After looking at the pictures again and the log he is on I'd say he closer to 13-14"

 

[Snattlerake]

A Great Horned Owl

 

[RickN]

Maybe a younger great horned. At least that is what it looks like to me.

 

[bigred1]

Beautiful bird.

 

[rawhide]

They are good tenants. Take care of mice and squirrels.

Yes, I encourage all rodent getters. The nearby fields are mice and rat havens.

When I kept bird feeders out all the time, we were surrounded by hawks and owls.

Target rich environment.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

Agree with RickN...a not-quite-mature GHO. Had a lot of them hand out around my place in Idaho. Magnificent creatures.