Q. I was out walking at dusk when a huge bird hurtled through the trees and landed on a power line overhead. I see big buzzards every night, but this bird seemed more compact and powerful. I think it must have been an owl, but it was silent and too dark to identify any markings. What are the most common big owls in our part of Texas?
A . After checking “Birds of Texas” by Rappole and Blacklock, it seems likely that it was a great horned owl. This owl is a permanent resident found throughout Texas. This owl frequents woodlands and patrons the mentioned trees. This is truly an impressive bird in flight with its 52-inch wingspan.
The other large owl listed is the snowy owl, but it is visits northern and Central Texas in the winter so we can rule that one out.
