Short-eared Owl Bird Facts (Asio flammeus)

The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl with a rounded head and small ear tufts. Its plumage is mottled brown and buff, with streaking on the breast. The wings are broad and rounded, with distinctive black wrist marks visible in flight.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, with females slightly larger. The bill is short and thin, black in colour and hooked. Its feet are black with a yellow sole.

Juveniles resemble adults but may have a darker facial disk and more uniform wing colouration.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Short-eared Owl can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Short-eared Owl can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Short-eared Owl can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Short-eared Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Short-eared Owls inhabit open landscapes worldwide, including grasslands, marshes, tundra, and agricultural areas. They are found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.

In the UK, they breed in Scotland and northern England, with winter visitors across the country. In North America, they breed in Canada and northern U.S. states, wintering further south.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Short-eared Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Estonia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lithuania Mongolia Norway

Species that pass through the area during migration

Bahrain Ethiopia Faroe Islands Jordan Malta Switzerland

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Short-eared Owl demonstrates remarkable agility with its low, wavering flight pattern and ability to manoeuvre effectively whilst hunting over open areas. Its broad, rounded wings contribute to its nimble aerial performance.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a medium-sized owl, the Short-eared Owl possesses moderate strength. It's capable of carrying small mammals, its primary prey, but isn't as powerful as larger owl species.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

This species shows exceptional adaptability, inhabiting a wide range of open landscapes across multiple continents and elevations from sea level to 4,300 metres. Its ability to hunt during daylight hours also demonstrates adaptability uncommon among owls.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Short-eared Owls display moderate aggressiveness. They're known to defend their territories and nests, but aren't typically overly aggressive compared to some other raptor species. Their barking 'kee-ow' call serves as a warning to potential threats.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Short-eared Owl exhibits impressive endurance, capable of long-distance migrations including crossing large bodies of water. Their ability to hunt actively during daylight hours, especially at dawn and dusk, also indicates good stamina.

Short-eared Owls primarily feed on small mammals, especially voles and mice. They hunt by flying low over open areas, using their keen hearing to locate prey.

During prey shortages, they may also consume small birds, insects, and amphibians.

Short-eared Owls are known for their low, wavering flight over open areas while hunting. They are more diurnal than most owls, often active during daylight hours, especially at dawn and dusk.

These owls are generally solitary but may form loose communal roosts in winter.

Short-eared Owls are generally quiet outside the breeding season. During courtship and territorial disputes, males produce a series of rapid, hollow hoots, described as 'voo-hoo-hoo'.

When alarmed, they may emit a barking 'keee-ow' call. Females and young make raspy hissing sounds when begging for food.

Short-eared Owls typically breed between March and June, depending on location. Males perform aerial displays to attract mates, including wing-clapping and calling.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often concealed by tall grass or low shrubs. Females lay 4-7 creamy-white eggs, which are incubated for about 24-29 days.

Both parents care for the young, which fledge at around 14-17 days old, but remain dependent on adults for several weeks.

The Short-eared Owl typically lives for 7 to 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 21.8 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While listed as Least Concern globally, Short-eared Owl populations are declining in many areas due to habitat loss and degradation.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving grasslands and managing agricultural practices to maintain suitable hunting and nesting grounds.

Look for Short-eared Owls in open grasslands, marshes, and tundra
Watch for their distinctive moth-like flight pattern during hunting - Its stiff wings beat a slow rhythm, and it tends to glide as it banks and circles across its hunting grounds.
Listen for their barking 'kee-ow' call, especially during the breeding season
In the UK and North America, scan suitable habitats during the late afternoon and early evening

Main predators include larger raptors such as Great Horned Owls, eagles, and Northern Goshawks. Ground predators like foxes and coyotes may also prey on nests and fledglings.

Short-eared Owls are one of the most widely distributed owl species in the world.
They are capable of crossing large bodies of water during migration.
Unlike many owls, Short-eared Owls often hunt during daylight hours.

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