Geography/Habitat:

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), is one of the most widespread owl species in the world. First described by Danish bishop Erick Ludvigsen Pontoppidan in 1783, there are currently 10 known sub-species. The nominate Asio flammeus flammeus is found throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Other subspecies are limited to Central and South America.

It is replaced by the closely related Marsh Owl throughout much of Africa and is not found in southeast Asia and Australasia. In North America it is a year-round resident in the northwest US (a tiny bit into Canada), summer resident or migrant to much of Canada, wintering in the US across the central east coast, and northwest coast coming as far south as California. In Texas it winters from the panhandle, central, and east Texas as far down as the Upper Texas Coast, and occasionally further south along coast.

It's preferred habitat is open grasslands, fields estuaries and salt marshes, meadows, and in the summer, arctic tundra. 

Short-eared Owls nest on the ground from March to June in the northern hemisphere and make a nest in a scrape lined with twigs and down. There is an extensive courtship ritual including aerial displays. Once mated, they lay 3-12 white eggs incubated by the female for 24-30 days. Polygamy is likely. Once hatched the parents and chicks tend to roost communally.

Short-eared Owls eat voles, shrews, mice, squirrels, rats and other small mammals and reptiles. Small birds and larger insects are eaten when primary food supply is scarce.

Identification:

A medium to large sized owl but appears to be very slender. Buffy overall but heavily mottled. They have a floppy erratic flight with a distinctive pale patch on the wings. Head is typically darker but has light facial disks with diagnostic dark triangle around bright yellow eyes.

Often quiet when seen but males do a pulsating “voo-hoo-hoo” song given while displaying. Females have a barking call. Both make various sounds around the nest during breeding.

Interesting Facts:

·      Short-eared Owls have various local names – Evening Owl, Bog Owl, Marsh Owl, Grass Owl, Meadow Owl, Mouse Hawk and Flat-faced Owl.

·      The courtship display can be spectacular and often involves steep dives of over 500 feet.

·      The total population is estimated at 2.5 million birds and is not listed as endangered or threatened, habitat loss is of concern and is listed as a Species of Concern by the USFWS.

·      A group of owls is known as a bazaar, a parliament, a glaring, a stooping, or a wisdom.