The Great Horned Owl is a nocturnal bird of prey found throughout the western hemisphere from northern Canada to the tip of South America. The "horns" are actually tufts of feathers on the top of the head and are not part of the owl's ear. Its eyes are large and sensitive to light and are even larger than its brain.
Burt is Clear Creek's own Great Horned Owl. Injured during a forest fire in the 1970's, his right wing was damaged and eventually amputated.