Asio otus
The Long-eared Owl (*Asio otus*) is a medium-sized, slender owl renowned for its cryptic camouflage and nocturnal stealth, making it a challenging but rewarding sighting for birders. Averaging 31-40 cm in length with a wingspan of 86-102 cm and weighing 200-450g, its most distinctive features are its long, prominent ear tufts—often held flat against its head when relaxed—and piercing orange-yellow eyes set within a tawny facial disc bordered by black. Its mottled brown and grey plumage provid...
Long-eared Owls prefer dense coniferous or mixed woodlands for roosting and nesting, always adjacent to open country like grasslands, meadows, or agricultural fields for nocturnal hunting. They can be found from sea level to moderate elevations, often favoring river valleys or sheltered areas wit...
The primary diet of the Long-eared Owl consists of small mammals, predominantly voles, mice, and shrews, which they hunt by stealthy, low-level flight or perch-and-pounce techniques over open fields. Occasionally, they will also take small birds or large insects, especially during periods of rode...
Strictly nocturnal, Long-eared Owls emerge from their dense daytime roosts at dusk to begin their hunting activities, often returning to the same communal roosts during winter. Their foraging strategy involves low, buoyant flight over open fields, punctuated by short perches from which they liste...
The Long-eared Owl boasts an extensive Holarctic distribution, spanning across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa. In North America, its breeding range extends from southern Canada throughout the northern and western United States, with scattered populations further south i...
Least Concern
- Despite their name, the "ears" of a Long-eared Owl are actually feather tufts used for camouflage and communication, not auditory organs. - These owls possess exceptionally keen hearing and can pinpoint prey by sound alone, even under a layer of snow or dense vegetation. - Their silent flight i...