Theshort-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a widespread grassland species in the familyStrigidae. Owls belonging to genusAsio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. The short-eared owl will display its tufts when in a defensive pose, although its very short tufts are usually not visible. The short-eared owl is found in open country and grasslands.
The short-eared owl is a medium-sized owl measuring 34–43 cm (13–17 in) in length and weighing 206–475 g (7.3–16.8 oz).[9] It has large eyes, a big head, a short neck, and broad wings. Its bill is short, strong, hooked and black. Its plumage is mottled tawny to brown with a barred tail and wings. The upper breast is significantly streaked.[10] Its flight is characteristically floppy due to its irregular wingbeats. The short-eared owl may also be described as "moth or bat-like" in flight.[11] Wingspans range from 85 to 110 cm (33 to 43 in).[12] Females are slightly larger than males. The yellow-orange eyes ofA. flammeus are exaggerated by black rings encircling each eye, giving the appearance of them wearingmascara, and large, whitish disks of plumage surrounding the eyes like a mask.
Short-eared owls have a scratchy bark-like call. Raspywaowk, waowk, waowk ortoot-toot-toot-toot-toot sounds are common. A loudeeee-yerp is also heard on breeding grounds. However, short-eared owls are silent on the wintering grounds.[10]
Through much of its range, short-eared owls occurs with the similar-lookinglong-eared owl. At rest, the ear-tufts of the long-eared owl serve to easily distinguish the two (although long-eared owls can sometimes hold their ear-tufts flat). The iris-colour differs: yellow in the short-eared, and orange in the long-eared, and the black surrounding the eyes is vertical on the long-eared, and horizontal on the short-eared. Overall the short-eared tends to be a paler, sandier bird than the long-eared. There are a number of other ways in which the two species the differ which are best seen when they are flying: a) the short-eared often has a broad white band along the rear edge of the wing, which is not shown by the long-eared; b) on the upperwing, short-eared owls' primary-patches are usually paler and more obvious; c) the band on the upper side of the short-eared owl's tail are usually bolder than those of the long-eared; d) the short-eared's innermost secondaries are often dark-marked, contrasting with the rest of the underwing; e) the long-eared owl has streaking throughout its underparts, whereas on the short-eared the streaking ends at the breast; f) the dark markings on the underside of the tips of the longest primaries are bolder on the short-eared owl; g) the upper parts are coarsely blotched, whereas on the long-eared they are more finely marked. The short-eared owl also differs structurally from the long-eared, having longer, slimmer wings: the long-eared owl has wings shaped more like those of atawny owl.[13] The long-eared owl generally has different habitat preferences from the short-eared, most often being found concealed in areas with dense wooded thickets. The short-eared owl is often most regularly seen flying about in early morning or late day as it hunts over open habitats.
Short Eared Owl in its habitat. Notice how it chooses short shady trees to roost under, in a grassland/ desert habitat.
The short-eared owl occurs on all continents exceptAntarctica andAustralia; thus it has one of the most widespread distributions of any bird.A. flammeus breeds inEurope,Asia,North andSouth America, theCaribbean,Hawaii and theGalápagos Islands. It is partiallymigratory, moving south in winter from the northern parts of its range. The short-eared owl is known to relocate to areas of higher rodent populations.[14] It will also wander nomadically in search of better food supplies during years whenvole populations are low. (See amap of the short-eared owl's distribution across theNew World.)
Full list of countries whereAsio flammeus is found[1]
Egg, CollectionMuseum WiesbadenJuvenile short-eared owl in Germany
Sexual maturity is attained at one year. Breeding season in the northern hemisphere lasts from March to June, peaking in April. During this time these owls may gather in flocks. During breeding season, the males make great spectacles of themselves in flight to attract females. The male swoops down over the nest flapping its wings in a courtship display.[14] These owls are generallymonogamous.
The short-eared owl nests on the ground in prairie, tundra, savanna, or meadowhabitats. Nests are concealed by low vegetation, and may be lightly lined by weeds, grass, or feathers.[14] Approximately 4 to 7 white eggs are found in a typicalclutch, but clutch size can reach up to a dozen eggs in years whenvoles are abundant. There is onebrood per year. The eggs are incubated mostly by the female for 21–37 days. Offspringfledge at a little over four weeks. This owl is known to lure predators away from its nest by appearing to have a crippled wing.[10]
Hunting occurs mostly at night, but this owl is known to bediurnal andcrepuscular as well. Its daylight hunting seems to coincide with the high-activity periods ofvoles, its preferred prey.[15] It tends to fly only feet above the ground in open fields and grasslands until swooping down upon its prey feet-first.[10] Several owls may hunt over the same open area.[16] Its food consists mainly ofrodents, especiallyvoles, but it will eat other smallmammals such asrabbits,[17]mice,ground squirrels,shrews,rats,bats,muskrats andmoles. It will also occasionally depredate smaller birds, especially when near sea-coasts and adjacent wetlands at which time they attackshorebirds,terns and smallgulls andseabirds with semi-regularity. Avian prey is more infrequently preyed on inland and centers on passerines such aslarks,icterids,starlings,tyrant flycatchers andpipits.Insects supplement the diet and short-eared owls may prey onroaches,grasshoppers,beetles,katydids andcaterpillars. Competition can be fierce inNorth America with thenorthern harrier, with which the owl shares similar habitat and prey preferences. Both species will readily harass the other when prey is caught.[18]
Because of the high pH in the stomach of owls they have a reduced ability to digest bone and other hard parts, so they eject pellets containing the remains of their prey.[19]
The short-eared owl has an estimated global population of 1,200,000 to 2,100,000 and a very large range. On that basis, it is evaluated by theIUCN as a species ofleast concern.[1]
It is listed as declining in the southern portion of its United States range. It is common in the northern portion of its breeding range.[9] It is listed as endangered inNew Mexico. Its appearance at theCalverton Executive Airpark onLong Island has prompted theNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation to take the lead on ruling whether a massive redevelopment of the airport will receive the necessary environmental permits.[9]
^abGill, Frank; Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2021)."Owls".IOC World Bird List Version 11.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved27 May 2021.
^"Pueo or Hawaiian Short-eared Owl"(PDF).Hawaii's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. State of Hawaii, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. 1 October 2005. Retrieved16 February 2009.
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