Long-Eared Owl – Asio otus

The long-eared owl is fairly large at 13-16 in (33-40 cm) and its characteristic feature is of course the ears that stick out. These ears are not ears at all but only feathers. There are a few things these ears or ear-tufts may help the owl do. One is blend in with background when they are resting and don’t want to be seen. Another possibility is that is helps the owls express some meaning, communicating with each other when they raise or lower the ear-tufts. When they fly, they flatten the tufts against their heads. Some have bright orange eyes, others have yellow. When they open their eyes wide you might wonder if they drink strong coffee but those large eyes are good for night hunting.

This bird is a night owl and does all its hunting for small mammals and rodents in the dark forest night. During the day they find a good perch and rest, fairly safe with their camouflage coloring, nearly invisible against the bark of the trees.

They use nests if they can find a good one made by other animals but don’t like to build their own nests. If they can’t find a good nest they might lay eggs on the ground. The young leave the nest after 3-4 weeks.

In the winter some of the long-eared owls in colder climates migrate South on whichever continent they may be on North America, Asia or Europe.