Short Eared Owl: Habitat, Behavior, and Best Places to Spot Them (2025)

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The short-eared owl is a fascinating bird of prey, known for its wide, golden eyes and subtle “ear” tufts that aren’t ears at all—just feather tufts used for camouflage.

You’ll spot them in open habitats like grasslands, marshes, and even airports, where their low, buoyant flight makes hunting small mammals, especially voles, look effortless.

Unlike most owls, they’re active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Found across the globe, they migrate seasonally, often traveling long distances.

Their nests are simple ground scrapes, but their conservation status is a concern due to habitat loss.

Curious about their hunting tricks?

Short Eared Owl Overview

You’ll recognize the Short-eared Owl by its striking yellow eyes, dark facial markings, and mottled plumage that blends perfectly with open grasslands.

Striking yellow eyes and moth-like flight make the Short-eared Owl a mesmerizing hunter of open grasslands and marshes.

This medium-sized owl, known for its daytime activity and moth-like flight, is one of the most widely distributed owl species in the world.

Physical Characteristics

The short-eared owl’s striking features make it easy to spot.

Its bright yellow eyes, framed by dark circles, give it an intense, almost mysterious gaze.

A plain face with small, barely visible ears complements its cryptic feather patterns.

Size and Appearance

The short eared owl is a medium-sized owl with a wingspan of up to 105 cm.

Its bright yellow eyes, framed by dark circles, are striking. Despite its name, its ear size is barely noticeable.

Sexual dimorphism is subtle, with females slightly larger.

Use the table below for quick identification:

Feature	Description	Observation Tip
Wingspan	95-105 cm	Watch during flight
Eye Color	Bright yellow	Spot in good light
Ear Size	Small, inconspicuous	Look closely
Body Length	33-40 cm	Compare to surroundings
Sexual Dimorphism	Females slightly larger	Notice size differences

Color and Subspecies

The Shorteared Owl, or Asio flammeus, showcases remarkable plumage variation across its subspecies.

Its cryptic pattern, with streaked underparts and a dark mask near the eyes, aids in camouflage.

Subspecies identification highlights regional coloration and genetic differences, such as the Hawaiian Pueo’s darker tones.

• Nominate subspecies: Widely distributed with classic markings.
• Galápagos subspecies: Darker, distinct mask.
• Caribbean subspecies: Buffier, less streaked.

Habitat and Distribution

You’ll find Short-eared Owls in open landscapes like grasslands, marshes, and tundra, where their cryptic plumage blends seamlessly with the terrain.

Their range spans continents, making them one of the most widely distributed owl species, though migration patterns vary by subspecies and season.

Preferred Habitats

These owls thrive in open spaces like rough grasslands, marshes, and tundra, favoring flat, treeless terrain.

Prey abundance dictates their presence, as they rely on small mammals for survival.

Habitat degradation threatens these areas, making habitat restoration critical.

Roosting sites are often on the ground, blending into their surroundings.

This grassland owl’s adaptability highlights the delicate balance between owl habitat and climate impact.

Geographic Range

The short eared owl boasts a global distribution, spanning North America, Northern Europe, and Northern Asia, with populations even reaching isolated islands like Hawaii.

Its habitat variation includes tundras, grasslands, and coastal marshes, which highlights its adaptability.

This range expansion, though some populations remain isolated, is a notable feature of the species, and despite its vast distribution, it avoids Australia and Antarctica, favoring open, treeless landscapes.

Migration Patterns

Understanding owl migration reveals fascinating patterns.

Short-eared owls display flexibility, adapting their routes to prey availability and weather.

Behavior and Hunting

You’ll find that short-eared owls are skilled hunters, flying low over open fields with a unique, moth-like flight pattern.

Short-eared owls glide low over fields with a moth-like grace, their sharp senses locking onto unsuspecting prey.

Using their sharp hearing and keen eyesight, they locate small mammals and birds, often surprising prey with sudden, precise strikes.

Flight Patterns

Gracefully gliding with moth-like flight, these owls showcase harrierlike patterns while hunting.

Their wing structure allows low, erratic sweeps over grasslands, searching for prey like voles. With controlled flight speed, they stall suddenly to pounce.

This efficient hunting flight highlights their diet-driven behavior. Watch for their distinctive gliding flight as they crisscross terrain in search of a meal.

Flight Feature	Description	Purpose
Moth-like Flight	Erratic, low over vegetation	Efficient prey detection
Hunting Flight	Crisscrossing, sudden stalls	Focused on capturing prey
Wing Structure	Broad, rounded wings	Enables silent, agile flight
Flight Speed	Controlled, slow glides	Precision in targeting prey
Gliding Flight	Smooth, energy-efficient movement	Covers large hunting areas

Vocalizations

From raspy wak-wak-wak barks to softer hoots, their vocalization reflects unique owl behavior.

Call structure varies by context—territorial disputes, mating, or warnings.

Unlike some owl species, they lack vocal mimicry but excel in vocal learning, adapting calls to situations.

These bird vocalisations serve critical functions, helping them communicate across open landscapes where their voices carry far.

Hunting Techniques

While their calls echo through the dusk, short eared owls showcase remarkable owl hunting techniques.

Their ground quartering flight maneuvers, low and moth-like, help in precise prey detection.

Specializing in vole hunting, they stall mid-air before striking.

These hunting strategies, paired with sharp hearing, make them efficient predators.

Watch for predator interactions—kestrels often snatch prey mid-hunt!

Nesting and Conservation

Short-eared owls prefer nesting on the ground in open habitats like grasslands and marshes, often choosing spots with dense vegetation to shield their eggs.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting these habitats, as human activity and land use changes continue to threaten their breeding sites.

Nest Site

Short-eared owls favor ground nests in open habitats like grasslands and marshes.

They scrape shallow depressions, lining them with grasses and feathers as nest materials. Nest location is strategic, often in drier spots to avoid flooding.

However, ground nests face threats from predators like foxes and raccoons. Their primary nest defense includes camouflage, relying on cryptic plumage to guarantee nest success.

Clutch Size

Regarding clutch size, the short-eared owl typically lays 4-7 eggs, though egg variability depends on food abundance and regional differences.

Incubation and Parental Care

After egg laying, the short-eared owl incubates its clutch for about 24-29 days. The female handles most of the incubation, while the male provides food.

These ground nests, built during breeding, are carefully concealed.

Once hatched, the chicks rapidly develop as both parents share feeding duties. Their teamwork guarantees the young thrive in their vulnerable early days.

Aspect	Details
Egg Laying	4-7 eggs per clutch
Nest Building	Ground nest, well-hidden
Feeding Young	Both parents involved
Parental Roles	Female incubates, male hunts
Chick Development	Rapid growth, dependent early

Conservation Status

While nesting habits highlight their adaptability, short-eared owl populations face serious challenges.

The IUCN Listing marks them as Least Concern, but habitat loss and population decline paint a grimmer picture.

Owl conservation efforts focus on protecting grasslands and managing threats to survival, yet endangered owl populations in some regions emphasize the urgency of conservation programs to secure their future.

Best Places to Observe

You’ll find Short-eared Owls in open landscapes like grasslands, marshes, and coastal areas, where their low, moth-like flight makes them easy to spot.

Airports and landfills can also attract these owls, as they provide abundant small prey and wide, undisturbed spaces, which can be considered abundant and undisturbed areas.

Airports and Landfills

Airports and landfills surprisingly attract Short-eared Owls due to abundant voles and open spaces.

To address this, airports may utilize specialized owl deterrents.

Grasslands and Marshes

Grasslands and marshes are prime spots for observing Short-eared Owls.

These open spaces, rich in Marsh Ecology and Prey Abundance, support their unique owl hunting behavior in grasslands.

Wetland Restoration and Grassland Conservation efforts enhance this owl habitat in grasslands.

For birdwatching in grasslands, focus on areas with managed Habitat Management, where these owl species in grasslands in the UK thrive.

Coastal Areas

You’ll often find Short-eared Owls thriving in coastal areas, where their Coastal Hunting adapts seamlessly to open spaces.

They prefer Marsh Roosting near tidal zones, though Tidal Impacts and Salinity Effects shape their bird habitat.

Shoreline Nests stay above waterlines, making birdwatching here rewarding.

Many enthusiasts also visit to explore coastal birding locations.

Spotting their unique bird behavior at dawn or dusk guarantees memorable bird sightings.

Regional Hotspots

If coastal areas aren’t your go-to, regional hotspots offer fantastic birdwatching locations for spotting the short-eared owl.

In South Yorkshire, sightings are rare this season, but Spurn and Welwick Saltmarsh still promise potential.

For prime viewing, consider using high quality birding optics.

Keep an eye on local habitats during seasonal abundance or along migration routes, and respect viewing ethics to aid conservation efforts and guarantee future bird sightings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)