Instructions
Check the owl's size. Female great horned owls are 10 to 20 percent larger than males.
Listen for the owl's call. The male great horned owl has a lower pitched voice than the female.
Watch the owl's posture when calling. The male will call from a prominent perch by holding his body horizontally, cocking his tail, allowing his wings to droop, and inflating his throat patch.
How to Tell If a Great Horned Owl Is Male or Female?
Great horned owls look almost identical, so it's difficult to tell the males from the females at first glance. But by careful observation of the owl's size, call, and behavior, you can tell the difference between the sexes. The great horned owl is one of the largest owls in the Americas, and the species with the largest range as well. Their range covers almost all of North America and parts of South America as well. Their preferred prey are rabbits and hares, but they take a wide variety of prey, including other owls.