Description
Lifespan: More than 12 years
In the family Strigidae, the short-eared owl is a common grassland species. Short-eared owl is one of the owls with the greatest geographic distribution is the. It has broad wings, a massive head, short neck, and enormous eyes. It has a small, powerful, hooked, and black bill. Its wings and tail have bars, and its plumage is mottled tawny to brown. Significant streaking is present on the upper breast. This bird’s wingbeats are erratic, which causes it to fly typically floppy and with “moth or bat-like” characteristics.
Habitat/ Native Range
Except for Antarctica and Australia, all continents are home to short-eared owls. Asia, Hawaii, South and North America, Europe, the Galápagos Islands, and the Caribbean are all places where they reproduce. The northern regions of the short-eared owl’s territory are where they migrate to during the winter. When there are few voles around, they will also roam aimlessly in quest of better food sources. The tundra, savannahs, grasslands, dunes, prairies, heathlands, marshes, meadows, and agricultural areas are among the open spaces where these birds can be found.
Behavior
Although short-eared owls typically live solitary, they may gather in large groups at communal roosts during the cold winter months. Even though they are active all during the day, most of their hunting takes place at night. Prior to swooping down on its prey feet-first, short-eared owls frequently soar low over the ground in wide fields and meadows. The same open space may be used by multiple owls to hunt. When prey is caught, both species even annoy one another. Particularly on their wintering areas, short-eared owls are typically silent. Their typical calls include raspy “waowk, waowk, waowk” or “toot-toot-toot-toot,” as well as a call that sounds like a scratchy bark; nesting grounds are where a loud “eeee-yerp” can be heard.
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