Long-eared Owl

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

The long-eared owl, also known as the northern long-eared owl or, more informally, as the lesser horned owl or cat owl, is a medium-sized species of owl with an extensive breeding range. The genus name, Asio, is Latin for "horned owl", and the specific epithet, otus, is derived from Greek and refers to a small eared owl. The species breeds in many areas through Europe and the Palearctic, as well as in North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, of the family Strigidae, which contains most extant species of owl.

Source: Wikipedia — Long-eared owl · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slender owl with long, close-set ear tufts, a rusty-orange facial disk, vertical and horizontal belly streaking, and orange-yellow eyes.

Similar species. Short-eared Owl has tiny ear tufts and hunts by day over marshes; Great Horned Owl is much bulkier. The slim shape and tall tufts mark Long-eared.

Voice. A long series of soft, deep, evenly spaced 'hoo' notes; also catlike whines and barks near the nest.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small mammals, birds, insects; hunting style varies by species.

Behavior. A slim, nocturnal owl that roosts by day pressed thin against a trunk in dense cover; hunts small mammals over open country at night. Often roosts communally in winter.

§ Range

Across northern North America; winters south

§ Habitat

Dense conifer groves near open habitats

§ Threats

Loss of dense conifer groves, conversion of grassland prey habitat, rodenticide poisoning.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the long-eared owl is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain conifer windbreaks. Support grassland conservation. Skip rodenticides.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Long-eared owl
• www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Asio otus
• IUCN Red List — search for Asio otus
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Asio otus

§ Sources cited

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
• National Audubon Society
• iNaturalist
• IUCN Red List