Short-eared Owl

The Short-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed owl species in the world, found on nearly every continent in open grassland, marsh, tundra, and agricultural habitats. Unlike many owls, it is frequently seen hunting in broad daylight, particularly at dawn and dusk.

Its flight is distinctive: buoyant, floppy wingbeats low over open ground, quite different from the flight style of forest owls. Its ear tufts are so small they are usually invisible in the field, unlike the prominent tufts of the closely related Long-eared Owl.

Its streaked buffy-brown plumage provides camouflage on the ground, where it nests and often roosts communally outside the breeding season.

Recognizing the feathers

• Body feathers are buffy-brown with bold dark streaking, generally paler and less richly patterned than the Long-eared Owl.
• Flight feathers are broad, with a buffy patch near the wing tip visible in flight, and soft fringed edges for quiet flight.
• Ear-tuft feathers, when present, are extremely short and inconspicuous, rarely visible even on the living bird.
• Underside streaking is generally finer and less extensive than on Long-eared Owl, especially toward the belly.

Similar species

• Paler overall tone, finer belly streaking, and essentially invisible ear tufts separate this species from the Long-eared Owl, which shows richer, bolder streaking and long, obvious ear tufts.

Plumage

Adults are buffy-brown above and below with bold dark streaking, heaviest on the upper breast and lightening toward the belly, with pale facial discs and yellow eyes rimmed in black. Sexes look similar.

Juveniles show a darker, more uniform facial patch before fledging, gradually acquiring the adult streaked pattern.

Molt occurs over summer, with flight feathers replaced gradually.

Habitat & range

One of the most widely distributed owls globally, found across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, and on many oceanic islands, in open grassland, prairie, marsh, tundra, and agricultural fields.

Many populations are migratory, moving to more southerly open habitats in winter, though some populations in milder climates are resident.

Behavior & field notes

Hunts over open ground, often in daylight, using buoyant, irregular wingbeats low over grass or marsh to locate small mammals by both sight and hearing.

It nests on the ground in a simple scrape within dense grass or low vegetation, and can form loose communal winter roosts in favorable habitat.

Its calls include a low barking note and, during display flight, wing-clapping sounds. A buffy-brown, boldly streaked body feather with a pale wing patch, found in open grassland or marsh, is a strong indicator of this species.