GREAT-HORNED OWL

Great-horned Owls are the largest and most robust of the eight owl species on the Navajo Nation. They are fairly common and widespread here. This owl can be found nesting in a variety of habitats from high-elevation forests to low badland deserts and deeply-incised canyons. For breeding, they do not build a nest of their own, but will use a stick nest created by other large birds like hawks and ravens. Rabbits and a preferred food items, but they are very opportunistic and will catch and eat rodents, reptiles, insects, and other birds. They prey can be as large as raccoons, porpupines, ducks, swans, and turkeys.

Great-horned Owl is named "Né'éshjaá" in the Navajo language. The Owl is known as messengers and they are respected and honored by the Navajo People.