Habitat
Perch in all levels of trees - can even perch low; perches at the edge of clearings
Can be found outside of North American in Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia and Mongolia (different sub species called lapponica, lighter)
Great Greys like conifer forests with adjacent meadows or bogs
Likes dense northern Boreal forest
Migration
In Edmonton area year round
Follows irruption patterns and moves south for food
Nesting
Prefers abandoned nests of other birds
Will also nest on top of broken trees
Social
Diet
Hunt at dusk and dawn
Can break through snow to catch prey - very powerful (snow that would support 80kg person)
Need to eat up to 7 vole-sized small mammals every day
Physical Features
Great Horned and Snow Owl weigh more with larger feet and talons - the Great Grey is lots of feathers (weigh 2.5 pounds)
Have a symmetrical ear openings to triangulate sounds
Males are smaller than females
Yellow bill, yellow eyes
Bow tie pattern in middle of neck
Feathered legs
Other
Oldest great grey in ever was in Alberta and was 18 years old