Barred owls and great horned owls make up the largest portion of North American Owls. The great horned owl has the largest distribution and the larger in size of the two birds. These owls are infrequently seen as they are typically nocturnal. They steal the nests of other birds or of squirrels. They have nearly soundless flight, which among their other senses, enables them to hone in on their prey from a perched branch. Acute sight and hearing, along with specialized feathers enable these birds to locate, track and land directly on their prey. Very hardy and even ferocious hunters have given them the nickname, tigers of the woods.