Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Family: Owls · Status: Vagrant · Size: 37–39 cm · Conservation: Least Concern

Range

Occurs throughout the Holarctic; some northern populations winter south to Central America, northern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Identification

Has a pale greyish-white facial disc with conspicuous white eyebrows and dark orbital rings around yellow eyes creating a "black-eye" effect; ear tufts very small and usually not visible. Upperparts mottled brown and buff; underparts whitish to buff with dense vertical streaking on the breast, thinning on the flanks. In flight, shows dark wrist markings on the underwing, a white trailing edge, and blackish primary tips. Separated from Long-eared Owl by yellow (not orange) iris, white trailing edge on the wings, and black primary tips in flight.

Habitat

Open areas including grassland, marshes, and open scrub.

Behaviour

Crepuscular to diurnal; hunts in buoyant, moth-like low flight over open ground, hovering at times.