It's getting dark at White Sands, so look to the night sky and you may see a powerful predator flying high and wide. It's the great horned owl! The largest owl found in New Mexico, this usually nocturnal bird of prey can be up to 25 inches (63.5 cm) long and weigh 3 pounds (1.4 kg). Its prominent ear tufts, white bib, and geographic color and size variations distinguish it from other owl species. Meanwhile, its 44 inch (112 cm) wingspan, large yellow eyes with exceptional low light vision, excellent hearing, and talons with a crushing power of 300 pounds per square inch (PSI) (136 kg) make it a superb hunter. A typical strong athlete only has the crushing power of 65-76 lbs PSI.