Everything about The Long-eared Owl totally explained
The
Long-eared Owl (
Asio otus) is a species of
owl which breeds in
Europe,
Asia, and
North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as
typical owls, family
Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping of owls are the
barn owls, family
Tytonidae.
Appearance
The Long-eared Owl is a medium sized owl, 31-37 cm in length with an 86-98 cm wingspan. It has erect blackish ear-tufts, which are positioned in the center of the head. The female is larger in size and darker in colouration than the male.
The Long-eared Owl’s brownish feathers are vertically streaked.
Tarsus and toes are entirely feathered. Eye disks are also characteristic in this species. However, the eye disks of
A. otus are darker in color or rusty-orange. This
nocturnal species is perhaps most easily seen perched in a tree in its daytime roost.
Behaviour
The Long-eared Owl's breeding season is from February to July. This
bird is partially
migratory, moving south in winter from the northern parts of its temperate range. Its habitat is forest close to open country.
It nests in trees, often
coniferous, using the old stick nests of other
birds such as
crows,
ravens and
magpies and various
hawks. The average clutch size is 4-6 eggs, and the incubation time averages from 25-30 days. It will readily use artificial nesting baskets. An unusual characteristic of this species is its communal nesting in thickets during the winter months.
The Long-eared Owl hunts over open country by night. It is very long winged, like the similar
Short-eared Owl, and glides slowly on stiff wings when hunting. Its food is mainly
rodents, small
mammals, and
birds.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Long-eared Owl'.
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