Short-eared owl

The short-eared owl is a captivating bird belonging to the genus Asio. It earns its name from the tufts of feathers on its head that resemble ears, although these "ears" are not always visible unless the owl adopts a defensive posture. You’ll typically find these owls in open areas and grasslands, where their mottled tawny to brown feathers provide excellent camouflage. They have large, striking eyes and a short, strong, hooked black bill. Their flight is distinctively erratic, characterized by irregular wingbeats, and they boast a wingspan ranging from 85 to 110 cm.

You can distinguish a short-eared owl from its close relative, the long-eared owl, by noting differences in eye color, feather patterns, and preferred habitats.

There are ten recognized subspecies of the short-eared owl, with a potential eleventh. These owls are widely distributed, inhabiting almost every region except Antarctica and Australia. They breed in various locales and often migrate southward during the winter.

Short-eared owls exhibit some unique behaviors, particularly in nesting and feeding. They nest on the ground and lay clutches of eggs, primarily preying on rodents. Nonetheless, they also consume small mammals, birds, and insects. After feeding, they regurgitate pellets comprised of undigested prey parts, facilitated by their stomach's high acidity.

Their calls are quite distinctive as well, often resembling scratchy barks. During the breeding season, they produce specific vocalizations.

The conservation status of the short-eared owl varies. In some areas, their populations are declining, and they are listed as endangered in places such as New Mexico. This decline has prompted conservation concerns in various parts of the United States.