SHORT-EARED OWL

The 'Short-eared Owl' (''Asio flammeus'') is a species of typical owl (family Strigidae). Owls belonging to genus ''Asio'' are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. ''Asio flammeus'' will display its tufts when in a defensive pose. However, its very short tufts are usually not visible. The Short-eared Owl is found in open country and grasslands.

Contents

Appearance

Geographic range

Nesting and reproduction

Breeding

Diet and foraging habits

Calls

Interesting facts

References

External links

Citations

External links

Appearance

''Asio flammeus'', the Short-eared Owl, is a medium-sized owl averaging 34–43 cm (13 to 17 inches) in length and weighing 206–475 grams (11 to 13 ounces). It has large eyes, big heads, short necks, 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 (Alsop 2001). Wingspans range from 85 to 103 cm (38 to 44 inches). Females are slightly larger than males. The yellow-orange eyes of ''A. flammeus'' are exaggerated by black rings encircling each eye, and large, whitish disks of plumage surrounding the eyes like a mask.

Geographic range

The Short-eared Owl occurs on all continents except Antarctica and Australia; thus it has one of the largest distributions of any bird. ''A. flammeus'' breeds in Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands. It is partially migratory, 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 (Ehrlich 1988). It will also wander nomadically in search of better food supplies during years when vole populations are low. See a map of the Short-eared Owl's distribution across the New World.

Nesting and reproduction

The Short-eared Owl nests on the ground in prairie, tundra, savanna, or meadow habitats. Nests are concealed by low vegetation, and may be lightly lined by weeds, grass, or feathers (Ehrlich 1988). Approximately 4 to 7 white eggs are found in a typical clutch, but clutch size can reach up to a dozen eggs in years when voles are abundant. There is one brood per year. The eggs are incubated mostly by the female for 21–37 days. Offspring fledge at a little over four weeks. This owl is known to lure predators away from its nest by appearing to have a crippled wing (Alsop 2001).

Breeding

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 (Ehrlich 1988). These owls are generally monogamous.

Diet and foraging habits

Hunting occurs mostly at night, but this owl is diurnal and crepuscular as well as nocturnal. It tends to fly only feet above the ground in open fields and grasslands until swooping down upon its prey feet-first (Alsop 2001). Several owls may hunt over the same open area (Kaufman 2000). Its food consists mainly of rodents, especially voles, but it will eat other small mammals and some large insects (Ehrlich 1988). Sometimes it even tends to eat smaller birds. 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.[1]

Calls

Short-eared Owls have a scratchy bark-like call. Raspy ''waowk, waowk, waowk'' or ''toot-toot-toot-toot-toot'' sounds are common. A loud ''eeee-yerp'' is also heard on breeding grounds. However, Short-eared Owls are silent on the wintering grounds (Alsop 2001).

★ Audio link 1

★ Audio link 2

Interesting facts

1. The Short-eared Owl has been known to territorially compete with the Barn Owl.
2. The Short-eared Owl may nest on reclaimed or replanted mines, and has been observed doing so farther south than their normal breeding range. This makes it one of the few species to which strip-mining has become an advantage
3.The word ''flammeus'' is Latin for "flaming, or the color of fire".[2]

References

★ Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

★ Pictures, Calls and Information

★ Pictures and Information

★ New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

★ Short-eared Owl Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

★ Short-eared Owl Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding

★ Short-eared Owl ''Asio flammeus'' - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter

★ Short-eared Owl videos on the Internet Bird Collection

Citations

★ Alsop, Fred J. Birds of North America: Eastern Region. DK Publishing, Inc. NY:NY. 2001.

★ Ehrlich, Paul R, David S Dobkin and Darryl Wheye. The Birder's Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon & Schuster Inc. NY:NY. 1988.

★ Kaufman, Kenn. Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. NY:NY. 2000.

External links