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A short-eared owl landing on a rock

Short-eared owl

Unlike many other owls, short-eared owls can frequently be seen hunting in broad daylight as well as in the early evening. They are skilled predators with keen vision even in low light and hearing accurate enough to pinpoint a small mammal in the undergrowth. They also have impressive aerial agility: To attract a mate the males perform dramatic sky-dancing displays accompanied by wing clapping to alert females of their presence. They may also offer food as a bribe to win females over.

Short-eared owls are one of the most widely distributed owl species. They are specialists of open country, possessing streaked plumage that blends perfectly into short vegetation. Unfortunately, the open habitat makes their ground nest sites vulnerable to predation from mammals.

Scientific name: Asio flammeus

Rank: Species

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Distribution

Map showing the distribution of the Short-eared owl taxa

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.

The Short-eared owl can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Indian subcontinent, North America, Russia, South America, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

Habitats

The following habitats are found across the Short-eared owl distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.

Behaviours

Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.

Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

Least Concern

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Year assessed: 2009

Classified by: IUCN 3.1

About

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a species of typical owl (family Strigidae). In Scotland this species of owl is often referred to as a cataface, grass owl or short-horned hootlet. Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. Asio flammeus will display its tufts when in a defensive pose. However, its very short tufts are usually not visible. The Short-eared Owl is found in open country and grasslands. The word flammeus is Latin for "flaming, or the color of fire".

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