Long-eared Owl - Asio otus

The Long-eared Owl is found around the world in the Northern Hemisphere. In North America it is similar in color to the Great Horned Owl but is smaller, thinner and its chest bars have vertical cross streaks. Here you will find photos, recordings and a brief field notes section to help identify and enjoy this beautiful owl. A more in depth write up and range map can be found in its natural history page (the Biology link). To jump immediately to any of these sections use the Page Jump Links below.

PHOTO GALLERY
Click on the thumbnail to bring up each of the Owl photos.

In flight, the Long-eared Owl is very similar to the Short-eared Owl, as the ear tufts are almost invisible. The Long-eared is generally darker overall, though, and has cross barring along the sides and chest as opposed to the Short-eared Owl's streaking; the facial disk is also rusty rather than whitish. its markings are similar to the Great Horned Owl although its longer more closely separated ear tufts, smaller size and slender shape set it apart. The sexes are alike although the males tend to be paler. These are nocturnal owls that roost in dense foliage near tree trunks in the daylight hours. Length is 15" (about the size of a Cooper's Hawk), similar to both the Barn and Short-eared Owls. Winter roosts consist of 7-50 birds and are often used year after year by similar number of owls. When disturbed at a roost, the Long-eared Owl will adopt a sleek upright posture with ear tufts fully erect.