Short Eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Size

• The short-eared owl is about 36 centimetres (14 inches) long.

Appearance

• This is a light coloured owl with small ear tufts that are seldom visible.
• In flight, the large, round, seemingly neckless head and dark patches on the underside of the wings are easily seen.
• The upper parts of the body are a yellowish to buff color with brown streaking on the crown, neck and back, and barring on the wings.
• The pale under-parts are heavily streaked with brown on the breast.

• It is found throughout the province, except in the Rocky Mountains.
• The breeding season is spent from the subarctic to the northern states.
• Winter months are spent south of the summer range as far away as South America.

Habitat

• The short-eared owl is a bird of the open grassland, marshes and farmland.

Food

• Predominantly a day hunter, the short-eared owl flies slowly over the ground in search of mice and voles.
• During years when rodent populations are high, these owls tend to congregate in a greater abundance than any other bird of prey.

Breeding Behavior

• Nests are usually a lined depression on the ground.
• Five to seven eggs are laid.

Status

The short-eared owl is classified as May Be At Risk in the General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. See:

• General Status of Alberta Wild Species

Also see the Status of the Short-eared Owl in Alberta report at:

• Detailed Status Report

Issues

• Population size for this species is unknown and irruptive fluctuations in numbers make assessments difficult.

Current management

• Like all birds of prey in Alberta, the short-eared owl is protected by the provincial Wildlife Act.

• Birds

• Owls