Short-Eared Owl

scientific name

Asio flammeus

size

Length. 13-17"
Weight. males 11 oz (average) " females 13.3 oz (average)
Wingspread. 38-44"

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. tawny to buff on upper parts including head & chest " tawny brown to buff patches on upper sides of wing (show in flight) " dark patches on undersides of bend in wings
Ear Tufts. small " difficult to see
Voice. "eeee-yerp" during territorial defense " silent while migrating " "wak wak wak" dog like barking & "toot-toot-toot-toot-toot" while nesting

behavior

primarily afternoon hunter " may be active day (especially cloudy days) or night " ground dwelling
Feeding. circles & glides close to ground " sometimes lands on ground to watch for rodents
Hunting. often drops straight down with wings held up
Roosts. on ground often in large colonies

reproduction/life span

Life span. up to 12 yrs in captivity
Courtship. spectacular flight
Nest. on ground in small colonies " nest in slight depression " sparsely lined
Eggs. 4-7 " laid Mar-June
Incubation. ~21 days
Young. fly 31-36 days " stay near nest ~42 days

diet

Wild. primarily mice " shrews, cotton rats, rabbits, pocket gophers, bats, insects, small birds, & lemmings

Zoo. mice

habitat/range

grasslands " tundra " marshes " dunes " every continent except Australia

status

CITES App II " used to be more common " decrease in population due to habitat loss & increasing number of people

oregon zoo exhibit

Alaska Tundra