The short-eared owl lives in the open spaces of marshes and fields, although it also frequents evergreen forests where it can find a plentiful supply of mice. The short-eared owl has bold yellow eyes that give it a fierce looking expression as it searches the ground from its observation post for signs of prey. Breeding pairs migrate to warmer climates during the winter.

Habits: In flight the short-eared owl hovers as it searches for food – much as a hawk does. It can also be seen gliding and weaving through the air with its wings forming a narrow V-shape. If cornered on the ground, the owl tries to scare off its enemy by spreading its wings and ruffling its feathers. This way, the owl looks much larger than it really is. This threat behavior is typical of several ground nesting birds. Some short-eared owls migrate to the warmer parts of their range for the winter and do not return to cooler climates until the start of breeding season. Both male and female short-eared owls have the same attractive, brown barred plumage.

Breeding: The short-eared owls breeding season begins in April. During this period the male makes circling display flights over the breeding territory while singing his courtship song to attract a female. After mating both birds scrape out a hollow on the ground and line it with dry plants. The female lays the eggs at two day intervals and incubates each one for 24 to 28 days, relying on her mate to bring her food. The young hatch with their eyes closed.

They are covered with a white down that soon changes to a light beige color. Both parents feed the new chicks. They fiercely defend their brood against intruders. The chicks fledge at 24 to 27 days, but stay within the nest area until they can fly well. When food is plentiful, the parents may raise a second brood in the same year. These offspring are ready to breed the following spring.

Food and Hunting: The short-eared owl hunts during the daytime. Searching the ground below for small mammals such as mice, the owl relies upon its excellent sight and hearing to locate prey. When not hunting from the air, the owl sits silently on a lookout post waiting and watching. Once the owl locates prey it swoops down and seizes the victim in its talons. The owl swallows its prey headfirst and whole while on the ground. Then it regurgitates (spits up) the bones and fur in the form of a pellet. Mice are a major part of the short-eared owl’s diet. Each bird eats several thousand a year.

Birdwatch: The short-eared owl is common in its range, but finding one can be difficult. This sharp eyed bird inhabits open ground and can quickly spot a bird watcher. The best time to see one is during breeding season when adults descend to the ground at regular intervals to feed their young. It is easy to mistake an owlet on the ground for an abandoned bird; it should be left alone.

Key Facts:
Sizes:
Length: About 1 ft.
Weight: 10-12 oz.
Wingspan: 3-3 ½ ft.

Breeding:
Sexual maturity: 1 year
Breeding season: April to June
Eggs: 4-10, white
Incubation period: 24-28 days
Fledging: 24-27 days

Lifestyle:
Habit: Single or in pairs
Diet: Mainly mice, but also other small rodents
Call: High pitched cry when disturbed. Male hoots when courting. Young hisses.

Related Species: The short-eared owl often shares its range with the nocturnal long-eared owl, Asio otus.
Distribution: The short-eared owl breeds in the northern United States, South America, northern Europe, and Asia. It winters in the southern United States, southern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and southern Asia.
Conservation: It is no danger of extinction. When mice are scarce, the population drops, but it eventually rises again.

The Short-Eared Owl’s Keen Senses:
Hearing: The owl can pick up the slightest rustling sound made by prey by swiveling its head in a sweeping 180 degree motion. This helps to pinpoint the prey’s exact location.
Owl’s vision: Eyes face forward and have about 110 degrees of vision. The fields of both eyes overlap and have 70 degrees of binocular vision. Within this field the owl can accurately pinpoint prey.

Wood pigeon’s vision: Eyes have 340 degree monocular (single eye) vision – good for detecting predators – but only limited binocular (both eyes) vision.

Did You Know:
The short “ears” that give this owl its name are actually tufts of tiny feathers.
One migrating short-eared owl traveled over 2,000 miles from Tunisia to Arkhangelsk on the northern coast of the Soviet Union – the longest recorded journey by this species.

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