The Great Horned Owl
$49.99
A great horned owl silhouette, laser cut from 1/8-inch steel, that taps into a tree trunk, wooden fence or post with a few hammer strikes. Choose Raw Steel, which arrives bare and rusts naturally outdoors to a warm brown patina with no paint or upkeep, or Black Powder Coat, the same piece finished in black. Cut to order in our shop in Texas and shipped free anywhere in the US.
Ordering is not open for this design yet.
Gallery includes bare, weathered raw-steel and black-finish photographs.
Orders are not open for this design yet.
Read the full story ↓You will hear him long before you ever see him.
The calling starts in the cold months, often well before dawn — a low, unhurried set of hoots from somewhere in the tall trees at the edge of the property. You can stand in the driveway and listen for a good while without ever locating the bird. That is rather the point.
We had this one cut in steel with the head up, perched, still, already watching you.
The eyes are fixed in their sockets, so the whole head turns instead — as much as 270 degrees. The leading edge of each flight feather is fringed, which breaks up the sound of the air, and it is the reason a bird of this size can come down on a field mouse without a whisper of warning.
They nest in January, in borrowed nests, and they are not particular about what they hunt. Very little in the woods argues with one.
Put this one high, in a tree or on a post at the edge of the yard, where an owl would actually sit.
Also Perfect For
- Birthday gifts for a bird watcher or gardener
- Housewarming and new-home gifts
- Retirement gifts for someone with more time for the yard
- Father's Day and gifts for Dad or Grandpa
Details
- Design: The Great Horned Owl
- Material: 1/8-inch steel
- Finish: Choose Raw Steel (arrives bare, rusts naturally outdoors) or Black Powder Coat
- Mounting: Built-in hammer-in spike for trees, fences and wooden posts
- Made in Texas: Laser cut from American steel in our family-owned shop
How to Set It
1. Pick a spot on a tree trunk, wooden fence or post — eye level from a window is best.
2. Hold the spike at a slight downward angle against the wood.
3. Tap the thick end of the spike with a hammer or mallet until it is firm.
No drilling, no screws, no other tools.
The Finish
Pick your finish from the Finish menu on this listing.
Raw Steel (Rusts Naturally): Your bird arrives as bare, raw steel — a clean steel gray. Outdoors, rain and dew turn it a warm rust brown, usually over the first few weeks, and the color keeps deepening with the weather. There is no paint or coating, so there is nothing to peel, fade or touch up. While the rust is forming, rust-colored runoff can mark pale stone, concrete or siding directly below it, so set it over wood, soil or mulch. Prefer the bare steel look? Keep it indoors or out of the rain.
Black Powder Coat: the same steel piece, powder coated in black. It arrives black rather than bare, does not develop the rust patina, and leaves no rust runoff, so it can go over pale stone, concrete or siding. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth. If it ever gets chipped, a dab of black exterior metal paint touches it up.
Processing & Shipping
Cut to order in our shop in Texas. Please allow 2–4 business days before your order ships. Orders of $99.99 or more ship free within the United States; under that, shipping is a flat $14.92. We ship within the United States only.
Returns
100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you are not happy with your bird for any reason, message us within 30 days of delivery and we will make it right with a replacement or a full refund.
About Shadow Birds
Every Shadow Birds piece is cut from solid American steel and made in Texas. Browse the shop for more birds, Garden Folk, Seasonal & Holiday designs and Critters.
Questions? We're Glad to Help.
Send us a message anytime. Ordering several for a family, a memorial service, a garden club or a store? Just ask — we are happy to set up larger orders.