Ophelia

Ophelia, a Great Horned Owl, has been a beloved member of the Auburn University Raptor Center’s education team since 2003. She came to us as a human imprint—meaning she was raised by people instead of adult owls. Because of this, Ophelia sees humans as her source of food and safety, showing no natural wariness when people approach. While this makes her an excellent ambassador, it also means she could not survive in the wild.

Her larger size first hinted that she might be female, and a DNA test later confirmed it. Today, Ophelia is glove trained and participates in many of our educational presentations, where she helps audiences learn about owl behavior, adaptations, and conservation.

Great Horned Owls are famous for their deep, resonant hoots—and Ophelia is always happy to demonstrate. Her impressive calls often captivate crowds before she’s even on stage. Weighing in at about 1,400 grams with a wingspan of roughly 4.5 feet, she is a striking example of one of North America’s most powerful nocturnal predators.

Whether she’s hooting for the audience or sitting proudly on the glove, Ophelia continues to inspire curiosity and appreciation for these remarkable owls.