Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Short-eared Owl
Let us learn about the Bird that is feisty as they hunt during their flight but also are romantic singers.
I have special Ear feathers,
that stand open when I need Defense.
Otherwise, they remain close,
When I need to hide my presence.
(Hidden presence is ‘Camouflage’ that is blending of one’s appearance with the ground.)
Name– Short-eared Owl
Scientific name –Asioflammeus
Size– 42cm
Distribution and Habitat
A large mottled brown Owl with broad wings hovers in open terrains such as Farmlands, Grasslands, Meadows, and Shrublands in the countries of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. This owl is known as a Short-eared Owl.
Why it is named ‘Short-eared owl’?
As the name States, this owl has Short ‘Ear tufts’ which are feathers that is similar in look to an Ear. These Ear Tufts are at rest and, they help the owl camouflage with the background of tree bark. Ear Tufts are alerted and erected when in need of Defense. Owls have a specific facial disc that increases hearing sensitivity and thus tracks the location of the prey.
Short-eared Owls have Large yellow eyes surrounded by a black border. Short black bill and broad wings that have irregular wingbeats. Short-eared Owl produce a variety of calls such as, ‘Toot-toot-toot’ or scratchy calls like ‘Waowk, waowk’
Food-
Short-eared Owl takes off from the tree perch or the ground when the prey such as Rodents, deer mice, Muskrats, Shrews, etc, is located and grab it in their Talons. They also catch the birds like larks, Pipits etc. They hunt at Night, in the Morning or late afternoon. The main diet is Rodents or Rats. If there is a scarcity of Rodents in a particular area, Short-eared Owl looks for another location.
Life cycle –
Breeding season is in late April. Short-eared owls are Monogamous, they are faithful to one individual. Males display the wingbeats of flapping wings and swoop near the nest, to get the attention of Females. There is also a territorial fight between males. Males fight with Wings.
Females build a nest made up of Grass mounds in the ground. The nest is made with scrapes of Grass, stems, herbs stalks as well as the Feathers plucked from her breast.
The female lays 5-7 eggs and incubates them, while the male provides the food.
Within 12 days, a hatchling begins to walk around the nest but requires protection from the predators.
The Short-eared Owl fledges from the nest at 4 weeks.
Life span and Ecological importance.
Short-eared owls have more than 12 years of life span, in which they feed on rodents, birds, and mammals and control their overgrowth.
Threat-
Incidents have been reported that the Short-eared Owls collided with an Airplane or vehicle while in flight, as their habitat is the same as Open terrain.
Also See – Osprey