Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Least Concern
Unlike most owls, this medium sized bird is often seen hunting during daylight hours, mainly around dawn and dusk and particularly across farmland and in grassland, marsh and moorland areas.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

34cm to 43cm

Wingspan

85cm to 110cm

Weight

206g to 475g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

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

Garden

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

Wetland

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

Coastal

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

Urban

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

Farmland

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

Grassland

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

Desert

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

Tundra

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

Rainforest

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

Mountain

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

Savanna

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

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 4,300 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic, Arctic

Distribution Map

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Afghanistan Argentina Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bhutan Bolivia Brazil British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Chile China Colombia Croatia Cuba Cyprus Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt Eritrea Falkland Islands Finland France French Guiana Georgia Germany Greece Guyana Haiti Hungary Iceland Iraq Lebanon Mauritania Micronesia Moldova Netherlands Oman Palestine Paraguay Peru Poland Puerto Rico Romania Russia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saudi Arabia Slovakia Spain Sudan Suriname Sweden The United Kingdom Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States of America Uruguay Venezuela Yemen
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Estonia Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lithuania Mongolia Norway
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Albania Algeria Bangladesh Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Czech Republic India Iran Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kuwait Laos Libya Luxembourg Macedonia Mali Mexico Montenegro Morocco Myanmar Nepal North Korea Pakistan Portugal Senegal Serbia Slovenia South Korea Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Tunisia Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Vietnam
Species that pass through the area during migration
Bahrain Ethiopia Faroe Islands Jordan Malta Switzerland
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Belize Bermuda Brunei Cameroon Cape Verde Chad Costa Rica Gibraltar Greenland Guatemala Guinea Hong Kong Kenya Liberia Liechtenstein Malaysia Maldives Niger Philippines Qatar Singapore South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Sri Lanka Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Trinidad and Tobago Uganda US Virgin Islands

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

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 60

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 90

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 65

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 80

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.

Diet

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.

Behaviour

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.

Vocalisation

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.

Nesting & Breeding

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.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,210,000 - 2,030,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • 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

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Marsh Owl, Grass Owl

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

7 to 15 years

Max Lifespan

21.8 years [4]

Predators

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.

Did You Know?

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

References

  1. 1 2 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Asio flammeus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22689531A202226582.

    View source
  2. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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