If you find a raptorial baby bird on the forest floor in March, what is it most likely to be?

Finding a raptorial baby bird on the forest floor in March is most likely indicative of a great horned owl. This species typically breeds in late winter to early spring, often starting as early as February or March. Their young hatch after a relatively short incubation period, leading to sightings of fledglings around this time.

In contrast, the other options generally follow different breeding cycles or timelines. For instance, red-tailed hawks usually begin nesting a bit later in the spring, making it unlikely for their young to be found on the ground in March. Goshawks also have a later nesting season, with most chicks hatching in April or May. Golden eagles typically lay eggs in late March to early April, meaning finding their young in March is quite improbable as well.

Thus, the timing of when the young birds are observed is pivotal in determining the species, and the great horned owl's breeding pattern aligns closely with the timeframe in question.