<P> Great horned owls are some of the earliest - breeding birds in North America , seemingly in part because of the lengthy nightfall at this time of year and additionally the competitive advantage it gives the owl over other raptors . In most of North America , courtship is from October to December and mates are chosen by December to January . This species is strictly monogamous . During courtship in late fall or early winter , the male attracts the attention of his mate by hooting emphatically while leaning over ( with the tail folded or cocked ) and puffing up his white throat to look like a ball . The white throat may serve as a visual stimuli in the low light conditions typical of when this owl courts . He often flies up and down on a perch , while approaching the potential mate . Eventually , he comes to approach the female and tries to rub his bill against hers while repeatedly bowing . If receptive , the female hoots back when the pair meet but is more subdued in both her hoot and display . The male may convince the female by bringing her freshly caught prey , which they will share . While males often hoot emphatically for about a month or six weeks towards the end of the year , the period where females also hoot is usually only a week to ten days . Pairs typically breed together year after year and may mate for life , although they associate with each other more loosely when their young become mostly independent . Pairs rekindling their reproductive relationship in the winter may perform a milder courtship to strengthen pair bonds before producing young . </P>
when is mating season for great horned owls
courtship is from October to December and mates are chosen by December to January