<P> In mountainous areas of North America, they are usually absent above the tree line, but great horned owls can be found up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in California and 3,300 m (10,800 ft) in the Rockies . In the Andean Mountains, on the other hand, they have adapted to being true montane species, often found at least 3,300 m (10,800 ft) above sea level and are regularly recorded in treeless Puna grassland zones at 4,100 to 4,500 m (13,500 to 14,800 ft) in Ecuador and Peru . They are generally rare in non-tidal wetland habitat, and are replaced in the high Arctic tundra by snowy owls . It prefers areas where open habitats, which it often hunts in, and woods, where it tends to roost and nest, are juxtaposed . Thus lightly populated rural regions can be ideal . This species can occasionally be found in urban or suburban areas . However, it seems to prefer areas with less human activity and is most likely to be found in park - like settings in such developed areas, unlike eastern and western screech owls (Megascops asio & M. kennicottii) which may regularly occur in busy suburban settings . On the contrary, though, one nest (a large squirrel nest) was reported in a tree in the middle of a college campus, under which no fewer than 3,000 - 4,000 people passed directly each day . All mated great horned owls are permanent residents of their territories, but unmated and younger birds move freely in search of company and a territory, and leave regions with little food in winter . </P> <P> In most aspects of their behavior, great horned owls are typical of owls and most birds of prey . From experimentally raising young owls in captivity, Paul L. Errington felt that they were a bird of "essentially low intelligence" who could only hunt when partially wild and instinctually driven by hunger to hunt whatever they first encounter . He showed captive birds that were provided strips of meat from hatching, rather than having to hunt or to simulate hunting to obtain food, had no capacity to hunt . On the contrary, William J. Baerg compared his captive raised behaviorally great horned owls to parrots, which are famously intelligent birds, although not as often playful "it knows its keeper and usually accepts whatever he wishes to do with a good deal of tolerance". Arthur C. Bent also noted the variability in temperaments of great horned owls to their handlers, some generally pleasant, though most are eventually aggressive . Most captive specimens, once mature, seem to resent attempts at contact and are often given to attacking their keepers . They will only follow cues when conditioned from an early age but rarely with the same level of success seen in some diurnal birds of prey trained for falconry or entertainment, although this does not necessarily correlate with intelligence as posited by Errington . Carl D. Marti also disagrees with Errington's assessments, noting that their prey selection is not as "completely random as Errington suggested"; while "Great Horned Owls appeared to select their mammalian prey in general relation to the prey populations...Cottontails, appeared to be selected as prey out of relation to their population status ." </P> <P> Like most owls, the great horned owl makes great use of secrecy and stealth . Due to its natural - colored plumage, it is well camouflaged both while active at night and while roosting during the day . During the daytime it roosts usually in large trees (including snags & large hollows but usually thick branches) but may occasionally be in crevices or small caves in rocks or in dense shrubbery . Pine and other coniferous trees may be preferred where available since they are particularly dense and provide cover throughout the year . Typically, males have a favorite roosting site not far from the nest, sometimes used over successive years . While roosting, great horned owls may rest in the "tall - thin" position, where they sit as erect and hold themselves as slim as is possible . The kind of posture is well known as a further method of camouflage for other owls, like long - eared owls or great grey owls, especially if humans or other potential mammalian carnivores approach them . The Eurasian eagle owl rarely, if ever, assumes the tall - thin position . Outside of the nesting season, great horned owls may roost wherever their foraging path ends at dawn . Generally great horned owls are active at night, although in some areas may be active in the late afternoon or early morning . At dusk, the owl utters a few calls before flying to a more open sing - post, i.e. large bare branch or large rocks to deliver song . Normally several perches are used to mark occupied territory or to attract a female . Despite its camouflage and cryptic locations, this species can still sometimes be spotted on its daytime roosts, especially by American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Since owls are, next to red - tailed hawks, perhaps the main predator of crows and their young, crows sometimes congregate from considerable distances to mob owls and caw angrily at them for hours on end . When the owls try to fly off to avoid this harassment, they are often followed by the corvids . </P> <P> Typically, great horned owls are highly sedentary, often capable of utilizing a single territory throughout their mature lives . Although some species such as snowy owls, northern saw - whet owls, long - eared and short - eared owls are true migrants, most North American owls are not migratory and will generally show fidelity to a single territory year around . In great horned owls, mated pairs occupy territories year - round and long - term . Territories are established and maintained through hooting, with highest activity before egg - laying and second peak in autumn when juveniles disperse, and can range from an average of 16 km (6.2 sq mi) in Yukon to an average of 2.1 km (0.81 sq mi) in Wyoming . </P>

Where do great horned owls sleep during the day