First documented human attack by a Great Horned Owl in Brazil

Antagonistic interactions between humans and wildlife are uncommon among Neotropical predators. Although raptors account for most documented avian attacks on humans, nocturnal species remain poorly studied due to their cryptic behaviour and low detectability, resulting in substantial knowledge gaps regarding their ecology and interactions with people. Here, we report the first documented case of an attack by a free-ranging Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) on humans in Brazil. The observation was based on a single incident, followed by field surveys conducted at the site of the attack. No nests or additional individuals were detected, and the owl showed no signs of being provoked or acting in self-defence. Plausible explanations for the event are the presence of prey in the area, which may have triggered aggressive behaviour, or that the individual had become habituated to humans during rehabilitation and captivity. Documenting rare behavioural events such as this contributes to a better understanding of human–raptor interactions and may aid in developing preventive measures to reduce future conflicts while promoting coexistence.