Zari
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
In 2016, Zari arrived at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Illinois as an imprinted fledgling. She was there until the organization ended its ambassador program. Great Horned Owls are a fundamental part of Wisconsin wildlife and we were honored to welcome Zari into our Raptor Program in late 2022.
Hatch Year: 2016
Average Weight: 2–4½ pounds | Zari: 4½ pounds
Wingspan: 40-57 inches
Lifespan in the Wild: 15 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 20-25 years
Fun Fact: Great Horned Owls are known as the ‘tiger of the sky’. They have the strongest grip strength of all North American owl species and can take down prey as large as a raccoon or skunk.
About My Species: Great Horned Owls are year-round owls in Wisconsin. Although their “hoo-hoo-hoo” call is often heard, they are less often seen due to their dark camouflage. These owls are the first birds each year to nest and will steal squirrel and crow nests from the year before to raise their young.
