What is a pip?

A pip hole is a tiny hole that the eaglet inside the egg makes with its “egg tooth” (a sharp little point at the end of its beek) in the outside shell when it first starts to hatch.

Great Horned Owl Ear Tufts:
Several owls, including the Great Horned Owl, have prominent ear tufts or “horns”, as they are also called. The function of these tufts remains disputed. Some argue that they aid in daytime camouflage, breaking up the shape and helping it blend with its perch. Others believe that the tufts are used for behavioral signaling and species recognition. What appears clear, however, is that they have no role in hearing.

Great Horned Owl

When Great Horned Owls nest:
Great Horned Owls are one of the earliest to begin breeding, they often start to lay eggs in late January, when there is still snow on the ground.

About Great Horned Owls
This large, mainly nocturnal, owl has large erect ear tufts, and its gray – mostly brown plumage is mottled above and barred underneath, helping it roost virtually undetected during daylight hours. It’s mostly commonly seen with rust-brown facial disks and a white chin and throat. Occuring throughout North and South America, from the most northern treeline and south to Chile, the Great Horned Owl occupies the widest habitat range of any owl in the world. This is because it takes a wide vareity of prey and will use virtually any nesting site, including rock faces and old buildings that offer sufficient cover.

What They Look Like:
They can vary greatly in color from almost white (in the far north), to brown and grays farther south. They are heavily mottled and streaked birds with a distinctive white throat. The ear tufts are prominent as the large yellow eyes.

Where Great Horned Owls nest:
The nest will often be on a cliff ledge or occasionally on the ground. They are also recorded using old heron and hawk nests. They will lay 2 or 3 white eggs.