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Migratrice

• Scientific Name: Asio flammeus
• Spanish Name: Búho orejicorto
• Family: Strigidae
• Known Nicknames: Marsh owl, Swamp owl, Bog owl, Flat-faced owl
• Average Length: 34–43 cm / 13–17 in
• Average Weight: 206–475 g / 7.3–16.8 oz
• Wingspan: 85–110 cm / 33–43 in
• Key Feature: Very short, often invisible ear tufts and striking yellow eyes surrounded by dark rings
• Primary Diet: Carnivore (primarily small rodents, especially voles)
• Range: Global distribution including North America, South America, Eurasia, Hawaii, and parts of Africa
• Habitat: Open terrain such as grasslands, marshes, tundra, and savannas
• Social Structure: Solitary, but can roost communally in winter
• Nesting/Breeding: Ground nests hidden in tall vegetation
• Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
• Évolution démographique : En baisse

The Short-eared Owl (*Asio flammeus*) is a captivating, medium-sized raptor renowned for its striking appearance and unusual daytime habits. Instantly recognizable by its brilliant yellow eyes framed by dark, mascara-like rings and set within a pale facial disc, this owl possesses tiny, often invisible "ear" tufts that give the species its name. Unlike most of its nocturnal relatives, the Short-eared Owl is frequently active during the day, patrolling open grasslands and marshes with a buoyant, moth-like flight style that is both graceful and erratic. Its mottled tawny and brown plumage offers perfect camouflage, while its highly specialized, asymmetrical ear openings allow it to pinpoint prey beneath dense cover with astonishing accuracy. As one of the rare owl species that nests directly on the ground, this nomadic hunter remains a thrilling sight for birdwatchers across the globe.

Faits amusants

Unlike their nocturnal cousins, these owls are active during the day, hunting with a bouncy, floppy flight style that closely resembles a giant moth. To defend their rare ground nests, parents will dramatically fake a broken wing to lure predators away, while males woo mates with an acrobatic "sky dance" that features loud, rhythmic wing-clapping beneath their bodies. Even their name is a bit of a trick: those famous "short ears" are actually just tiny, temporary tufts of feathers they only raise when startled, while their incredibly sensitive real ears are completely hidden, asymmetrical slits on the sides of their head that allow them to pinpoint a mouse rustling beneath a thick blanket of snow.

Habitats et répartition

Preferred habitats consist of wide-open spaces with low vegetation, which provide both nesting sites and ample hunting grounds. These environments include grasslands, prairies, marshes, wet meadows, heather moors, agricultural fields, and tundra. Because nesting occurs directly on the ground, the species relies heavily on areas with tall grasses or shrubs for concealment, while requiring open terrain to hunt its primary prey, small rodents. This species boasts one of the most widespread geographical distributions of any bird, with populations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and several oceanic islands, such as Hawaii and the Galápagos. While populations in temperate and southern regions are often resident year-round, those breeding in the northernmost tundra zones of North America and Eurasia are highly migratory, traveling south during the winter in search of milder climates and abundant food.

Comportements & Reproduction

While generally solitary during the breeding season, this species exhibits a surprisingly social nature in winter, often gathering in communal roosts in open grasslands. During the spring, males perform spectacular aerial courtship displays known as "sky-dancing," which involve high-altitude hovering, dramatic dives, and audible wing-clapping beneath their bodies to attract mates. They form monogamous pairs for the breeding season, defending temporary territories that are highly dependent on local prey abundance. Unlike most other owls, they nest directly on the ground, clearing a small scrape in tall grass or tundra vegetation and lining it with dry grass and feathers. Their reproductive strategy is highly nomadic and opportunistic, allowing them to track rodent populations across vast distances; consequently, clutch sizes vary drastically from 4 to over a dozen eggs depending on food availability. They also practice asynchronous hatching, which ensures that at least the oldest, strongest chicks survive if food resources suddenly deplete.

Alimentation

The Short-eared Owl is a specialized carnivorous predator whose diet relies heavily on small mammals, with voles serving as their primary and most crucial food source. They also consume deer mice, shrews, pocket gophers, rats, and occasionally small birds or insects, particularly in coastal habitats where mammalian prey may be scarce. An intriguing aspect of their predatory behavior is their highly nomadic nature; Short-eared Owl populations and breeding success fluctuate dramatically in response to the multi-year population cycles of voles, causing these owls to travel vast distances to settle where prey is temporarily abundant. Unlike many other owl species, they frequently hunt during the day or at dusk, flying low over open grasslands to detect prey through acute hearing and sight. Once caught, small prey is typically swallowed whole, though the owls are known to decapitate larger rodents or pluck the feathers off birds before consumption, later regurgitating the indigestible bones and fur in compact pellets.

Couleurs

The Short-eared Owl features cryptic, mottled brown and buff plumage that provides exceptional camouflage in dry grasslands. Its pale underparts are heavily streaked with dark brown, and its upper wings display prominent buff-colored patches visible in flight. Its most striking markings are a pale facial disc framing piercing yellow eyes, which are dramatically encircled by dark, mascara-like rings.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.

Détails de l'attraction

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