Short-eared Owl

13 to 17 in (34 to 43 cm)

Length

33.5 to 40.5 in (85 to 103 cm)

Wingspan

7.3 and 16.8 oz (206 to 475 g)

Wight

About

#Birds

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a widespread and distinctive bird of prey known for its piercing yellow eyes, streaked brown plumage, and buoyant flight.

Belonging to the family Strigidae, this medium-sized owl is one of the most cosmopolitan species, found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. It prefers open habitats such as grasslands, marshes, tundra, and agricultural fields, where it hunts small mammals, especially voles.

Unlike many other owls, the Short-eared Owl is often active during the day, particularly around dawn and dusk. Its flight is notably moth-like—erratic, low to the ground, and buoyant as it scans for prey.

This owl nests on the ground, camouflaging its eggs among tall grasses or under low shrubs. During migration or irruptive years with food shortages, it can appear in unexpected areas far from its typical range.

The Short-eared Owl plays a vital ecological role in controlling rodent populations, and its presence is often an indicator of healthy grassland ecosystems. However, its numbers are declining in some regions due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Conservation efforts focus on protecting open habitats and monitoring population trends.

A striking combination of adaptability and vulnerability, the Short-eared Owl captivates birders and conservationists alike with its unique behaviors and wide distribution.

Threatened:

Physical Characteristics

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a medium-sized, ground-nesting owl known for its daytime hunting behavior, striking facial features, and agile, buoyant flight over open landscapes. It is one of the most widely distributed owls in the world.

Plumage:
Short-eared Owls have a buff to pale tawny body covered in brown streaks and mottling that provide excellent camouflage in grasslands and marshes. The underparts are lighter, with vertical dark streaks, while the upperparts are darker and more mottled for concealment.

Face:
They have a rounded facial disc that is pale with a distinctive dark “mascara” mark around each bright yellow eye, giving them a bold, intense appearance. The facial disc is outlined with a subtle dark border. As their name implies, the ear tufts are very short and usually not visible.

Body:
The Short-eared Owl has a slender, rounded body and a low, horizontal posture when perched. It is built for endurance flight, with a frame that is lighter and less compact than many forest-dwelling owls.

Wings and Tail:
They possess long, broad wings with a distinctive mottled pattern and dark wing tips, easily visible in flight. Their long tail is rounded and banded, providing stability during low, gliding hunts.

Beak and Feet:
They have a black, sharply curved beak, small but effective for tearing prey. Their feet are feathered and equipped with sharp talons for capturing small mammals in grassy environments.

Size:

Length: Typically ranges from 13 to 17 inches (34 to 43 centimeters)
Wingspan: About 33.5 to 40.5 inches (85 to 103 centimeters)
Weight: Generally between 7.3 and 16.8 ounces (206 to 475 grams), with females usually larger than males

Short-eared Owls are built for life in open country. Their long wings, lightweight build, and unique coloration allow them to cruise silently above grasslands, scanning for prey. Combined with their striking facial markings and minimal ear tufts, they are one of the most easily recognized and captivating owls in the field.

Reproduction

The Short-eared Owl has a reproductive cycle that is closely tied to food availability, especially rodent populations. Uniquely among owls, it nests on the ground, using minimal cover in open landscapes such as grasslands, prairies, and tundra.

1. Mating and Courtship:
Short-eared Owls are seasonally monogamous, with courtship occurring in spring and early summer, depending on local climate and prey abundance. Males perform spectacular aerial displays, including wing-clapping, hovering, and dramatic dives, while vocalizing with a series of hollow “voo-hoo-hoo” calls. Courtship feeding by the male is also common.

2. Nesting:
They do not build elevated nests. Instead, the female selects a shallow scrape in the ground, often hidden among tall grasses or sedges. She lines it lightly with grasses, feathers, and sometimes down.

3. Egg Laying and Incubation:
Clutch size ranges from 4 to 7 eggs, though it may increase to as many as 10 to 14 eggs in rodent-rich years. The eggs are laid one at a time, typically 1 to 2 days apart. The female incubates the eggs for 21 to 23 days, while the male provides food.

4. Hatching and Nestling Period:
Chicks hatch asynchronously and are altricial, with pale down and closed eyes. The female broods the chicks and feeds them while they are small. Older chicks begin to move away from the nest scrape around 12 to 18 days old, reducing vulnerability to predators.

5. Development and Fledging:
Young Short-eared Owls begin to fledge at about 24 to 30 days, though they often leave the nest site much earlier. They continue to receive food and protection from the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

6. Post-Fledging Care:
Fledglings remain near the nest area, learning to fly and hunt under the watchful eye of the parents. Independence is typically reached 4 to 6 weeks after fledging, depending on prey abundance and local conditions.

Reproductive Adaptability:
Short-eared Owls are irruptive breeders, meaning they may breed in large numbers during rodent booms and may skip breeding altogether in lean years. This strategy allows them to capitalize on ideal conditions in otherwise unpredictable environments.

The Short-eared Owl’s ground-nesting habits, mobility, and adaptability to prey cycles make it one of the most flexible breeders among owls. Its reliance on grassland ecosystems underscores the importance of conserving open habitats for successful reproduction.

Lifespan

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a globally distributed owl species adapted to open landscapes such as grasslands, tundra, and marshes. Its lifespan is shaped by harsh environmental conditions, ground-nesting vulnerability, and fluctuating prey cycles.

Lifespan in the Wild:
In their natural habitat, Short-eared Owls typically live 4 to 6 years, although many perish within their first year due to predation, starvation, or habitat disturbance. Despite these challenges, some banded individuals have been recorded living up to 12 years in the wild.

Lifespan in Captivity:
In protected environments such as zoos or rehabilitation centers, Short-eared Owls may live 10 to 15 years, with regular food, veterinary care, and protection from predators increasing longevity.

Threats to the Short-eared Owl:

Nest Predation: Because they nest on the ground, eggs and chicks are highly vulnerable to foxes, raccoons, skunks, snakes, and birds of prey.
Habitat Loss: Conversion of grasslands and wetlands to agriculture, development, or intensive grazing reduces both nesting and hunting habitat.
Mowing and Agricultural Machinery: Nesting sites are often destroyed by mechanical disturbance, especially during haying or plowing.
Climate Variability: Changes in rainfall and temperature can impact prey populations and affect breeding success.
Human Disturbance: Ground nests are easily trampled by livestock or disturbed by hikers, off-road vehicles, or unleashed pets.

Conservation Actions:

Habitat Preservation: Protecting open landscapes like native grasslands, prairies, and wetlands is vital for breeding and hunting success.
Nesting Site Protection: Delaying mowing in known nesting areas and fencing off breeding grounds can reduce nest losses.
Population Monitoring: Because Short-eared Owls are nomadic and irruptive, ongoing surveys are essential to detect population changes.
Public Awareness: Educating landowners, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts helps reduce unintentional disturbance.

While Short-eared Owls may have shorter average lifespans than forest-dwelling owls, their nomadic lifestyle, opportunistic breeding, and global distribution offer resilience in the face of environmental variability. Their survival hinges on the protection of open habitats and careful management of shared landscapes.

Hunting & Eating

The Short-eared Owl is a specialized grassland hunter, adapted for long-distance, low-level flight over open terrain. Unlike most owls, it often hunts during daylight hours, especially at dawn and dusk, making it one of the most visible and widely recognized owl species in open-country environments.

Diet:
Short-eared Owls are small-mammal specialists, with a diet that focuses on:

Voles, particularly meadow voles, which often make up the majority of their diet
Mice, shrews, and small rats in a variety of habitats
Occasionally small birds, especially during winter or prey shortages
Insects, amphibians, and occasionally bats, depending on region and season

They may adjust their diet based on local prey availability, especially in tundra or island environments.

Hunting Strategy:
Short-eared Owls employ a slow, buoyant flight just above the ground, often gliding with deep wingbeats while scanning the grass for movement:

They rely on a combination of excellent vision and acute hearing, made more effective by their facial disc and asymmetrical ear placement.
Their low and erratic flight pattern helps them locate and surprise prey hiding beneath grasses or snow.
Once prey is detected, they drop down quickly, extending their sharp talons to seize it from the ground.

Daylight Hunting:
Unlike most owls, Short-eared Owls are often diurnal or crepuscular, making them active during the day, especially in northern regions with extended daylight. This adaptation helps reduce competition with more nocturnal owl species.

Feeding Behavior:

Prey is typically swallowed whole or, if large, torn into smaller pieces.
Indigestible parts—fur, bones, feathers—are regurgitated as pellets near feeding sites or roosts.
During nesting, males deliver prey to the female and chicks, often stockpiling food during periods of abundance.

Hunting Range and Patterns:
Short-eared Owls are nomadic and will follow prey populations across large distances. They tend to hunt in wide, open areas such as prairies, marshes, tundra, agricultural fields, and coastal grasslands.

The Short-eared Owl’s long wings, silent flight, and daylight hunting behavior make it one of the most recognizable open-country owls. Its role as a key predator of rodents highlights its importance in controlling small mammal populations across vast grassland ecosystems.

Uniqueness

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is one of the most widespread, adaptable, and visually captivating owl species on Earth. Its rare combination of daytime hunting, nomadic movement, and ground-nesting behavior sets it apart from nearly every other owl in the world.

Global Reach:
The Short-eared Owl is found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, making it one of the most widely distributed owl species. It inhabits open country—grasslands, tundra, marshes, and even airports and reclaimed land—wherever small mammals are abundant.

Daytime Hunter:
Unlike most owls, which are strictly nocturnal, Short-eared Owls are diurnal and crepuscular, often seen flying and hunting during daylight hours. This makes them one of the few owl species regularly observed in broad daylight.

Buoyant, Falcon-like Flight:
Their hunting flight is low, slow, and graceful, with long wingbeats and occasional hovering—more reminiscent of a harrier or falcon than a typical owl. This flight style, combined with their long wings and pointed wingtips, gives them a distinctive silhouette.

Ground Nester:
Short-eared Owls are among the very few owls that nest on the ground, typically in shallow scrapes hidden in tall grasses. This unique strategy makes them highly reliant on undisturbed open landscapes for breeding success.

Nomadic and Irruptive:
They are nomadic and irruptive breeders, meaning they may appear in large numbers in some years and disappear in others, depending on prey availability. This mobility allows them to take advantage of boom-and-bust rodent cycles across vast regions.

Short Ear Tufts, Big Personality:
Despite their name, Short-eared Owls’ ear tufts are often barely visible, especially when relaxed. Their large, round facial disc, bold yellow eyes, and dramatic dark eye patches give them a stunning and expressive look, even without prominent tufts.

Communal Roosting:
Outside of the breeding season, Short-eared Owls may roost communally, sometimes in groups of several individuals. This behavior, along with their visibility and charisma, makes them favorites among birders and photographers.

Ecological Importance:
As prolific predators of voles and mice, Short-eared Owls play a vital role in grassland ecosystems, helping control rodent populations and serving as indicators of healthy open-country habitats.

Conclusion:
The Short-eared Owl defies expectations—a day-flying, ground-nesting, globe-trotting owl with a face full of personality and wings built for endless skies. Its unique combination of behaviors, adaptability, and ecological importance make it one of the most distinctive and essential owls in the world.

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FAQ’s

The Short-eared Owl is one of the most distinctive owls in the world, and it stands apart from most of its relatives in several important ways—especially in its behavior, habitat, and visibility.

Hunting Time

Most owls are nocturnal, hunting under the cover of darkness. Short-eared Owls, on the other hand, are diurnal and crepuscular, meaning they’re most active during the day and at twilight. This makes them much more visible to people and easier to observe in flight than owls like the Long-eared or Barred Owl, which remain hidden during daylight hours.

Flight Style

Short-eared Owls have a long-winged, buoyant flight that often resembles that of a harrier or falcon more than a typical owl. They fly low over open ground in a slow, gliding motion—very different from the direct, silent swoop of forest-dwelling owls like the Great Horned or Tawny Owl.

Nesting Behavior

Unlike most owls, which nest in tree cavities, cliffs, or old stick nests, the Short-eared Owl is one of the few owl species that nests on the ground. Its nest is a simple scrape hidden in tall grasses or tundra vegetation, exposing it to a very different set of risks—especially from ground predators or agricultural machinery.

Habitat Preference

While many owls prefer forests, woodland edges, or urban green spaces, Short-eared Owls are true open-country specialists. They thrive in grasslands, marshes, prairies, tundra, and agricultural fields, places where other owls are less competitive. Their survival is tied directly to the health of these open habitats.

Movement and Migration

Short-eared Owls are nomadic and irruptive. Unlike resident owls such as the Tawny or Screech Owl, they follow prey cycles and may appear in large numbers one year, only to vanish the next. This flexible, mobile lifestyle is rare among owls, who tend to be territorial and stay in one place year-round.

Social Behavior

Most owls are solitary—especially outside of breeding season. Short-eared Owls are more tolerant of conspecifics and are known to roost communally in winter, sometimes in groups of 5 to 20 or more. This kind of social behavior is highly unusual among owls.

Appearance and Voice

With short, barely visible ear tufts, bright yellow eyes, and striking dark “mascara” marks, the Short-eared Owl has a bold, open-faced look. It lacks the expressive ear movements of Screech or Long-eared Owls, and its call is less dramatic—a low, barking or hooting sound that’s rarely heard outside the breeding season.

In Summary:

Compared to other owls, the Short-eared Owl is an open-country, ground-nesting, day-hunting anomaly. It’s built for flight over fields, not forests; it nests in grass, not trees; and it follows prey across vast distances rather than holding a permanent territory.

These differences make it one of the most adaptable and ecologically unique owls on the planet—and one of the most exciting to encounter in the wild.

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

IUCN Status

Global Status: ✅ Least Concern
Justification: This species has an extremely large range and a large global population. While there are indications of population declines in certain regions, these declines are not rapid or widespread enough to meet the thresholds for a more threatened category.

Population Trends

Although globally listed as Least Concern, the Short-eared Owl has experienced notable regional declines:

North America: Since 1970, populations have declined by approximately 65%.
Canada: Listed as a species of Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act due to habitat loss and other pressures.
United States: Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but considered Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern in several states.

Primary Threats

Habitat Loss: Conversion of grasslands and wetlands to agriculture and urban development reduces available nesting and hunting grounds.
Agricultural Practices: Intensive farming and early mowing can destroy nests and reduce prey availability.
Climate Change: Alters habitat structure and prey dynamics, particularly in northern breeding areas.
Human Disturbance: Increased recreational activities and infrastructure development in open habitats can lead to nest abandonment.

Conservation Actions Needed

Habitat Protection: Preserve and manage open habitats like grasslands, marshes, and tundra.
Monitoring Programs: Implement standardized surveys to track population trends and distribution.
Public Awareness: Educate communities about the importance of open habitats and the species that depend on them.
Policy Implementation: Enforce and strengthen legislation that protects critical habitats and mitigates key threats.

While the Short-eared Owl is not globally threatened, its dependence on open habitats makes it vulnerable to ongoing environmental changes. Continued conservation efforts are essential to ensure its long-term survival across its range.