Description
Life span: Up to 27-28 years
The long-eared owl is a long-winged, thin owl with conspicuous erectile ear tufts that are more closely spaced from the center of the head than those of most other owl species. About half of all living owls have ear tufts, however it is unknown what they do. The most well-liked hypothesis among biologists and ornithologists is that ear tufts may be a means of interspecies communication for intent and mood. The long-eared owl’s coloring is frequently described as ochraceous-tawny with a variable wash of grey or brown. On the wings and back, where they are most noticeable, varied blackish vertical streaks (and occasionally dots) are regularly layered over the base color. The usual whitish markings on the scapulars provide contrast to the base color and blackish markings. Broad panels of buff or almost orange may also be visible across the base of the primaries, which is a richer emphasis on a pattern shared with other owls that specialize in hunting voles, like short-eared owls and great grey owls. The upper breast of long-eared owls has dark streaks, which may be extensively marked below with a herringbone pattern.
Native Region/Habitat
Although they are often missing beyond the montane tree line, this species has a wide attitudinal range and has no obvious altitudinal inclinations. In Kashmir, the species has been seen building its nest at a height of 2,700 meters (8,900 feet). It was found that tiny tree plantations, corpses, or scatted trees on moorlands, heaths, or mosses are the favoured habitat types in the United Kingdom.
Behavior
Only at night do long-eared owls venture out. They commonly roost in groups of two to twenty long-eared owls during the non-breeding season because they are tolerant of other long-eared owls and live in pairs during the breeding season. During the mating season, long-eared owls only protect the region immediately surrounding the nest. A loose colony of nests can be found, with nesting only 14 meters apart. While some long-eared owls migrate, others spend the winter in their nesting habitat. Other long-eared owls tend to be nomadic, shifting their locations in response to changes in the availability of food.
As a pet/In captivity
Keeping Long-eared owls without a specific permit is prohibited in the majority of nations. In certain nations, after completing the requisite training and building suitable facilities, people are given permission to retain it. Native to the United States, long-eared owls cannot be kept as pets by individuals; they can only be kept by trained, authorized individuals while they are being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding programme, for educational purposes, or in some states, certain species may be used for falconry (although they rarely make good falconry birds).
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