The Short-eared Owl so named because of the small ear tufts on it’s head, is a very
striking owl with eyes the colour of lemon and a large facial disk, these owls hunt
during the day and can be seen sitting on fence posts, they are a stocky bird and
larger than the Long-eared Owl.
The Short-eared Owl hunts by quartering the ground , flying slowly and low to the
ground very similar to the Barn Owl, they will also sit very patiently waiting for
prey. Their prey consists mainly of mice, voles, shrews and some small birds. This
owl will also roost in large numbers if prey is abundant. They are ground nesting
birds which can make them quite vulnerable to predators.
The Short-eared Owls preferred habitat is wet pasture, dunes and moorland with heather,
the nest consists of a shallow scrape sometimes lined with twigs and grass, very
few owls make any sort of nest at all. If the female and her young are threatened
the male owl will draw the predator away by dragging his wing and pretending to be
injured, they have also been known to fly at peoples heads if they approach to near
to their nest site.
During the breeding season the male Short-eared Owl will fly over his territory calling
with a deep booming series of hoots this is often accompanied by a rapid clapping
of the wings whilst the wings are held under the body.
There are approximately 1500 breeding pairs of Short-eared Owls in Britain, this
number is boosted during October and May by Short-eared Owls that come here from
Europe to spend the winter.
THE SHORT-EARED OWL
Latin Name. . Asio flammeus
Distribution. The Short-eared Owl found in North and South America and many of
the small islands off the coasts. It is also found in Europe, Asia and north China.
Breeding. . The female lays from 7 to 10 eggs in April/May. Incubation is 24 to 28
days and the young leave the nest before they can fly, at two weeks old, and hide
among the grasses, they fledge after 24 to 27 days.
Status. This is uncertain, they dislike intensive agriculture, the population in
Britain is in decline.
Length. 37 to 39cm. Wingspan. 95 to 100cm.
Weight. 260 to 420g.
