Friends of the Forest Preserves

Great horned owls are one of the apex predators of Cook County. Sometimes known as “the tiger of the skies,” they grow large, relying on their size and strength to ambush prey. They will even hunt other birds of prey. Because their chicks need time to grow large and to learn hunting skills before the next winter, great horned owls may begin nesting as early as January and well into February. Interestingly, they don’t build their own nests, instead choosing to use nests that other birds had built in previous years. An early nesting season also ensures that great horned owls can claim the best nests before other birds even start looking.