With large, piercing yellow eyes containing extra retinal rods for increased vision, horn-like tufts constantly conveying a perturbed expression, and prominent, impending talons, the Great Horned Owl is an intense bird of prey. But the owl does not simply appear intimidating, it has the strength and intellect to substantiate this appearance. If contracted, the Great Horned Owl’s talons take approximately 28 pounds to open, exerting a force of approximately five hundred pounds per square inch while seizing its prey. Due to its impressive predatory skills and ability to live in diverse spaces, the Great Horned Owl is surviving in the midst of rampant industrialism and adverse climate changes, while many other species are suffering great declines in population. While the Great Horned Owl has seen population declines since 1966, the overall concern for the bird is substantially lower than many other species. The owl is also aided by its protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, in which the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, and Mexico have all agreed to oversee regulations intended to preserve over 1,000 different birds. Under the treaty, prohibitions include any action to "pursue hunt, take, capture, kill…sell, [or] purchase at any time, or in any manner”, which can include a fine of up to $15,000 and six months in prison (Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918). With the combination of ecological advantages and the treaty, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most common owls on the American Continent. However, as one of the America's most resilient creatures, the owl's increased decline will be one of the last warning signs to indicate that we are approaching a biosphere that cannot recoup from human destruction.