Asio flammeus
Short-eared Owls have the ability to strike their wing tips together below them, producing a courtship clap to prospective mates. These birds typically inhabit open country, where visual aerial displays-called the sky dance-are more effective than the elaborate hooting of owls living in deep woods. The evening foraging flights of this owl are very distinctive. It beats its long wings slowly, similar in many ways to a butterfly, as it courses low over wet meadows. This owl's life revolves around the population levels of voles, leading to nomadic movements in response to prey availability. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: yellow eyes in black sockets; heavy, vertical streaking on the buffy belly; straw-colored upperparts; short ear tufts are rarely seen. In flight: dark elbow patches; deep wing beats; long wings. Size: L 13-17 in. (33-43 cm); female is slightly larger. Range: rare to uncommon year-round resident throughout the Rockies; populations can fluctuate greatly from year to year; most likely to be seen in migration. Habitat: open country, including grasslands, wet meadows and cleared forests. In migration: frequently in alpine meadows. Nesting: on the ground; in a slight depression sparsely lined with grass; female incubates 4-7 eggs for 26-37 days. Feeding: uses hearing, vision and flight adaptations to forage low over marshes, wet meadows and tall vegetation; pounces from the air; eats mainly voles and other small rodents, as well as insects, small birds and amphibians. Voice: generally quiet; produces a soft toot-toot-toot during the breeding season; also 'barks' like a small dog and squeals. Similar Species: Burrowing Owl: much longer legs; shorter tail; shorter wings. Long-eared Owl: long ear tufts; shorter wings; rarely hunts during the day. |
