<P> Like most owls , the great horned owl makes great use of secrecy and stealth . Due to its natural - colored plumage , it is well camouflaged both while active at night and while roosting during the day . During the daytime it roosts usually in large trees ( including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches ) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery . Pine and other coniferous trees may be preferred where available since they are particularly dense and provide cover throughout the year . Typically , males have a favorite roosting site not far from the nest , sometimes used over successive years . While roosting , great horned owls may rest in the `` tall - thin '' position , where they sit as erect and hold themselves as slim as is possible . The kind of posture is well known as a further method of camouflage for other owls , like long - eared owls or great grey owls , especially if humans or other potential mammalian carnivores approach them . The Eurasian eagle owl rarely , if ever , assumes the tall - thin position . Outside of the nesting season , great horned owls may roost wherever their foraging path ends at dawn . Generally great horned owls are active at night , although in some areas may be active in the late afternoon or early morning . At dusk , the owl utters a few calls before flying to a more open sing - post , i.e. large bare branch or large rocks to deliver song . Normally several perches are used to mark occupied territory or to attract a female . Despite its camouflage and cryptic locations , this species can still sometimes be spotted on its daytime roosts , especially by American crows ( Corvus brachyrhynchos ) . Since owls are , next to red - tailed hawks , perhaps the main predator of crows and their young , crows sometimes congregate from considerable distances to mob owls and caw angrily at them for hours on end . When the owls try to fly off to avoid this harassment , they are often followed by the corvids . </P>
<P> Like most owls , the great horned owl makes great use of secrecy and stealth . Due to its natural - colored plumage , it is well camouflaged both while active at night and while roosting during the day . During the daytime it roosts usually in large trees ( including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches ) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery . Pine and other coniferous trees may be preferred where available since they are particularly dense and provide cover throughout the year . Typically , males have a favorite roosting site not far from the nest , sometimes used over successive years . While roosting , great horned owls may rest in the `` tall - thin '' position , where they sit as erect and hold themselves as slim as is possible . The kind of posture is well known as a further method of camouflage for other owls , like long - eared owls or great grey owls , especially if humans or other potential mammalian carnivores approach them . The Eurasian eagle owl rarely , if ever , assumes the tall - thin position . Outside of the nesting season , great horned owls may roost wherever their foraging path ends at dawn . Generally great horned owls are active at night , although in some areas may be active in the late afternoon or early morning . At dusk , the owl utters a few calls before flying to a more open sing - post , i.e. large bare branch or large rocks to deliver song . Normally several perches are used to mark occupied territory or to attract a female . Despite its camouflage and cryptic locations , this species can still sometimes be spotted on its daytime roosts , especially by American crows ( Corvus brachyrhynchos ) . Since owls are , next to red - tailed hawks , perhaps the main predator of crows and their young , crows sometimes congregate from considerable distances to mob owls and caw angrily at them for hours on end . When the owls try to fly off to avoid this harassment , they are often followed by the corvids . </P>
where do great horned owls sleep during the day
where do great horned owls sleep during the day
usually in large trees ( including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches ) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery
usually in large trees ( including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches ) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery