AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 12
(−1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural)

hp 26 (4 HD)

Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +3

Speed 10 ft., fly 70 ft. (average)

Melee 2 claws +7 (1d6+4) and bite +2 (1d8+2)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Base Atk +4; Grp +12

Abilities Str 18, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10

Feats Alertness, Wingover

Skills Knowledge (nature) +2, Listen +17, Move Silently +8*, Spot +10

Advancement 5-8 HD (Large); 9-12 HD (Huge)

Level adjustment +2 (cohort)

Superior Low-Light Vision (Ex) A giant owl can see five times as far as a human can in dim light.

Skills Giant owls have a +8 racial bonus on Listen checks and a +4 racial bonus on Spot checks.

*When in flight, giant owls gain a +8 bonus on Move Silently checks.

Training a giant owl Although intelligent, a giant owl requires training before it can bear a rider in combat. To be trained, a giant owl must have a friendly attitude toward the trainer (this can be achieved through a successful Diplomacy check). Training a friendly giant owl requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a giant owl requires an exotic saddle. A giant owl can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.

Giant owl eggs are worth 2,500 gp apiece on the open market, while chicks are worth 4,000 gp each. Professional trainers charge 1,000 gp to rear or train a giant owl.

Carrying Capacity A light load for a giant owl is up to 300 pounds; a medium load, 301-600 pounds; and a heavy load, 601-900 pounds.