Great Grey Owl

owls · nocturnal hunters · arctic

Tallest owl ever. The great grey owl is the largest species of owl by length in the whole world, sometimes growing nearly 3 feet tall. That makes it taller than most house cats, even though many other owls are heavier.

Lives in the north. Great grey owls live across the Northern Hemisphere, including in forests and snowy areas of North America, Europe, and Asia. They're the only owl species found on both sides of the world, from Canada to Siberia.

Giant disc face. Great grey owls have enormous flat faces with dark circles around their eyes that look like giant discs, making them unmistakable. These huge faces help them catch every sound from tiny mice moving under the snow.

Silent flying hunter. These owls have special feathers that muffle the sound of their wings, letting them swoop down on prey without a whisper. Their hearing is so sharp they can find and catch mice in complete darkness just by listening.

Snow survives winter. Great grey owls are perfectly adapted to harsh, snowy forests and can hunt when temperatures drop far below freezing. They don't migrate like many other owls but stay in the north year-round, waiting patiently for the next meal.