Short-eared Owl
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Short-eared Owl | status = Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | image = Asio-flammeus-001.jpg | image_width = 256px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Strigiformes | familia = Strigidae | genus = Asio | species = A. flammeus | binomial = Asio flammeus | binomial_authority = (Pontoppidan, 1763) }}
The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a species of typical owl in family Strigidae. Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, which are characterized for tufts of feathers resembling that of 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 the owl of the open-country and grasslands.
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Morphology
Asio flammeus, the Short-eared Owl, is a medium-sized owl averaging 34-43 cm in length and weighing from 206-475 grams. In general, the Short-eared Owls have large eyes, big heads, short necks, and broad wings. Its bill is short, strong, hooked and black. Its plumage is molted tawny to brown with a barred tail and wings. The upper breast is significantly streaked (Alsop). Wingspans range from 85-103 cm. Females are slightly larger than males. The yellow-orange eyes of A. flammeus are exaggerated by black rings encircling each eye, and large, whitish disks of plumage surrounding the eyes like a mask. According to Deane P. Lewis, flammeus is Latin in origin meaning “flaming, or the color of fire”. Click here for more information: [1].
Geographic Range
The Short-eared Owl’s geographic range extends to all continents except Antarctica and Australia. A. flammeus is considered to have one of the largest distributions in the world. A. flammeus breeds in Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands. This owl is partially migratory, moving south in winter from the northern parts of its range. The Short-eared Owl is known to relocate to areas if higher rodent populations (Ehrlich). It will also wander nomadically in poor vole years in search of better food supplies. To view the Short-eared Owl's distribution across the New World click here: Map.
Nesting and Reproduction
The Short-eared Owl nests on the ground in prairie, tundra, savanna, or meadow habitats. Nests are concealed by low vegitation, and may be lightly lined by weeds, grass, or feathers (Ehrlich). Approximately 4 to 7 white eggs are found in a typical clutch, but up to a dozen in vole years. There is one brood per year. The eggs are incubated mostly by the female for 21-37 days. Offspring fledge at a little over four weeks. This owl is known to lure predators away from its nest by appearing to have a crippled wing (Alsop).
Breeding
Sexual maturity is attained at one year. Breeding season lasts from March to June, peeking in April. During this time these owls may gather in flocks. During breeding season, the males make great spectacles of themselves in flight to attract females. The male swoops down over the nest flapping its wings in courtship (Ehrlich). These owls are generally monogamous.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Hunting occurs mostly at night, but these owls are crepuscular as well as nocturnal. The Short-eared Owl tends to fly feet above the ground in open fields and grasslands until swooping down upon its prey feet first (Alsop). Several owls may hunt over the same open area (Kaufman). Its food consists mainly of rodents, especially voles, but it will eat other small mammals and some large insects (Ehrlich). Its flight is known to be characteristically floppy.
Songs
Short-eared Owls have a bark-like call. A raspy waowk, waowk, waowk or toot-toot-toot-toot-toot. A loud eeee-yerp is also heard on breeding grounds. However, Short-eared Owls are silent on the wintering grounds (Alsop).
External links
Citations
- Alsop, Fred J. Birds of North America: Eastern Region. DK Publishing, Inc. NY:NY. 2001.
- Ehrlich, Paul R, David S Dobkin and Darryl Wheye. The Birder's Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon & Schuster Inc. NY:NY. 1988.
- Kaufman, Kenn. Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. NY:NY. 2000.bg:Блатна сова
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