Long-eared Owl
The Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized species of owl measuring between 12 and 16 inches in length with a wingspan, relatively large for their size, measuring around 3 feet. However, compared to other widespread owls considered of medium size and to which they can appear broadly similar in size, the Long-eared Owl is quite a bit lighter and slender bodied.
As expected in owls and birds of prey in general, the Long-eared Owl displays reverse sexual dimorphism where females are usually slightly larger than males.
In general colouration, the Long-eared Owl is a hue of ochraceous-tawny with a variable greyish or brownish wash. The base colour is commonly overlaid with variable blackish vertical streaks and occasionally spots which are usually more apparent on the wings and back. The scapulars are usually marked whitish which provide further contrast when seen against the base colour and blackish markings. The wing's dark carpal patches can also display broad panels of buff or almost orange on the wings across the base of primaries. The underparts tend to be a somewhat paler ochraceous-tawny compared to the upperparts.
The Long-eared Owl tends to have dusky streaks on the upper breast, below which they may be heavily marked with a herring bone pattern which is created by dusky shaft-streaks and crossbars on these feathers. The facial disc is visibly well developed and variably coloured, rimmed dusky often with white running down along the centre through the bill. The ear tufts are usually dusky in front and paler tawny on the back, the bill is black and the eyes vary from yellowish-orange to orange-red.
The Long-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed and most numerous owl species in the world and breeds in many areas throughout Europe and the Palearctic as well as in north America.
In the UK, the Long-eared Owl breeds thinly across the country with fewer birds in south west England and Wales. Northern birds, including birds from Europe, migrate southwards coming to spend the winter in the UK whilst southern birds are residents and only move short distances to find food.
The Long-eared Owl is usually found in open landscapes with groups of trees, hedges or small woods as well as pastures with trees and bushes plus any type of forest with clearings, forest edges, semi-open taiga forest, swampy areas and bogs, orchards with old fruit trees, parks, cemeteries with trees and bushes and even gardens and timbered areas in villages, towns or cities.
The Long-eared Owl is more or less strictly nocturnal and usually activity commences at dusk. When flying by day, it is often mobbed by diurnal birds such as corvids and other birds of prey.
During daytime, the Long-eared Owl tends to roost in an upright position on a branch, often close to a trunk and hidden within dense foliage. In winter, it often stays close to the same tree or group of trees.
Unlike most owls, which show a tendency towards territorial behaviour all year round, outside of the breeding season the Long-eared Owl may form aggregations of up to 50 birds while roosting, with a European record of about 150 owls at a single roost.
The Long-eared Owl tends to be a monogamous breeder with the pair bond being renewed annually.
Males claim their territory with singing and display flights with wing clapping. Singing normally starts at dusk on calm evenings and may continue through the night with clear windless moonlit nights being preferred. The song is usually delivered from a perch, most often at medium height in trees or from the upper half near the canopy.
Pairs tend to occupy the same territory all year around but most prefer to use a different nest each year even if the same nest as last year is still in a good state of repair. Females typically take on the duty of inspecting potential nesting sites and duet to attract the males. Nests are typically those of other species such as corvids, other raptors and herons.
Breeding occurs later in the year than most owl species with mating usually taking place in March or April and egg laying between late March and early May in most of the range. Generally, the female lays 3 to 5 eggs (sometimes more if food is unusually abundant) and larger clutches are typical further north in the range. In Europe up to 2 broods have been successfully raised at times of food abundance.
Incubation begins with the first egg and continues for about 27 to 28 days. The female alone incubates while the male provides food which is brought direct to nest. The young hatch at 2 day intervals at any point between late April and June. The female alone feeds the chicks. The young leave the nest at 20 to 27 days of age but are initially flightless, often climbing about in surrounding branches. At about 35 to 37 days, the young are fully fledged and can fly well but they often follow their parents and are fed by them for up to about 2 months.
The Long-eared Owl appears to have a widely varying diet. One study accrued information from 312 studies from around the species’ range. In total 478 prey species were found to be described, of which 180 were mammal species, 191 were bird species, 83 were assorted invertebrate species, 15 were reptiles, 7 were amphibians and 2 were fish species. However, on closer inspection, the Long-eared Owl generally appears to be something of a dietary specialist. It usually takes primarily, often nearly entirely, small mammals as food in almost every part of its range.
The Long-eared Owl is rather common and widespread in many regions and it is easily one of the most widely found owl species globally. Densities of populations depend on the availability of food. Local threats are typically pesticides and persecution as well as collisions with road traffic.
Date: 31st January 2023
Location: "Cley Spy", Glandford, Norfolk
As expected in owls and birds of prey in general, the Long-eared Owl displays reverse sexual dimorphism where females are usually slightly larger than males.
In general colouration, the Long-eared Owl is a hue of ochraceous-tawny with a variable greyish or brownish wash. The base colour is commonly overlaid with variable blackish vertical streaks and occasionally spots which are usually more apparent on the wings and back. The scapulars are usually marked whitish which provide further contrast when seen against the base colour and blackish markings. The wing's dark carpal patches can also display broad panels of buff or almost orange on the wings across the base of primaries. The underparts tend to be a somewhat paler ochraceous-tawny compared to the upperparts.
The Long-eared Owl tends to have dusky streaks on the upper breast, below which they may be heavily marked with a herring bone pattern which is created by dusky shaft-streaks and crossbars on these feathers. The facial disc is visibly well developed and variably coloured, rimmed dusky often with white running down along the centre through the bill. The ear tufts are usually dusky in front and paler tawny on the back, the bill is black and the eyes vary from yellowish-orange to orange-red.
The Long-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed and most numerous owl species in the world and breeds in many areas throughout Europe and the Palearctic as well as in north America.
In the UK, the Long-eared Owl breeds thinly across the country with fewer birds in south west England and Wales. Northern birds, including birds from Europe, migrate southwards coming to spend the winter in the UK whilst southern birds are residents and only move short distances to find food.
The Long-eared Owl is usually found in open landscapes with groups of trees, hedges or small woods as well as pastures with trees and bushes plus any type of forest with clearings, forest edges, semi-open taiga forest, swampy areas and bogs, orchards with old fruit trees, parks, cemeteries with trees and bushes and even gardens and timbered areas in villages, towns or cities.
The Long-eared Owl is more or less strictly nocturnal and usually activity commences at dusk. When flying by day, it is often mobbed by diurnal birds such as corvids and other birds of prey.
During daytime, the Long-eared Owl tends to roost in an upright position on a branch, often close to a trunk and hidden within dense foliage. In winter, it often stays close to the same tree or group of trees.
Unlike most owls, which show a tendency towards territorial behaviour all year round, outside of the breeding season the Long-eared Owl may form aggregations of up to 50 birds while roosting, with a European record of about 150 owls at a single roost.
The Long-eared Owl tends to be a monogamous breeder with the pair bond being renewed annually.
Males claim their territory with singing and display flights with wing clapping. Singing normally starts at dusk on calm evenings and may continue through the night with clear windless moonlit nights being preferred. The song is usually delivered from a perch, most often at medium height in trees or from the upper half near the canopy.
Pairs tend to occupy the same territory all year around but most prefer to use a different nest each year even if the same nest as last year is still in a good state of repair. Females typically take on the duty of inspecting potential nesting sites and duet to attract the males. Nests are typically those of other species such as corvids, other raptors and herons.
Breeding occurs later in the year than most owl species with mating usually taking place in March or April and egg laying between late March and early May in most of the range. Generally, the female lays 3 to 5 eggs (sometimes more if food is unusually abundant) and larger clutches are typical further north in the range. In Europe up to 2 broods have been successfully raised at times of food abundance.
Incubation begins with the first egg and continues for about 27 to 28 days. The female alone incubates while the male provides food which is brought direct to nest. The young hatch at 2 day intervals at any point between late April and June. The female alone feeds the chicks. The young leave the nest at 20 to 27 days of age but are initially flightless, often climbing about in surrounding branches. At about 35 to 37 days, the young are fully fledged and can fly well but they often follow their parents and are fed by them for up to about 2 months.
The Long-eared Owl appears to have a widely varying diet. One study accrued information from 312 studies from around the species’ range. In total 478 prey species were found to be described, of which 180 were mammal species, 191 were bird species, 83 were assorted invertebrate species, 15 were reptiles, 7 were amphibians and 2 were fish species. However, on closer inspection, the Long-eared Owl generally appears to be something of a dietary specialist. It usually takes primarily, often nearly entirely, small mammals as food in almost every part of its range.
The Long-eared Owl is rather common and widespread in many regions and it is easily one of the most widely found owl species globally. Densities of populations depend on the availability of food. Local threats are typically pesticides and persecution as well as collisions with road traffic.
Date: 31st January 2023
Location: "Cley Spy", Glandford, Norfolk
|
Previous (13 of 13)
|
|
Also in: Owls
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |