bird cams: long-eared owl

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long-eared owl

Named after its prominent “ear” tufts, the Long-eared Owl (abbreviated LEOW) is a medium-sized owl that travels lightly on the wing and looks slimmer and more upright on the perch than the Great Horned Owl.

Found in grasslands and open forests throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, Long-eared Owls have bright yellow-orange eyes and buffy orange facial disks, black bills, and white to buffy chest feathers with brown streaking and barring.

Equipped with acute hearing for night hunting Long-eared Owls are primarily nocturnal, spending their time on the wing in search of small mammals. Usually silent, Long-eared Owls can be occasionally heard giving a deep singular “whooooo,” a haunting call that can be heard up to a kilometer away.

One of only a handful of owl species that roost communally during the winter, Long-eared Owls nest in groups of 2-20, although records exist of 100 or more. During the breeding season, pairs form and lay an average of 3-5 eggs. Born with white natal down, the baby owlets leave the nest about 21 days after hatching.

  • topic: owls

  • location: missoula

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bird cams: long-eared owl

Named after its prominent “ear” tufts, the Long-eared Owl (abbreviated LEOW) is a medium-sized owl that travels lightly on the wing and looks slimmer and more upright on the perch than the Great Horned Owl.

Found in grasslands and open forests throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, Long-eared Owls have bright yellow-orange eyes and buffy orange facial disks, black bills, and white to buffy chest feathers with brown streaking and barring.

Equipped with acute hearing for night hunting Long-eared Owls are primarily nocturnal, spending their time on the wing in search of small mammals. Usually silent, Long-eared Owls can be occasionally heard giving a deep singular “whooooo,” a haunting call that can be heard up to a kilometer away.

One of only a handful of owl species that roost communally during the winter, Long-eared Owls nest in groups of 2-20, although records exist of 100 or more. During the breeding season, pairs form and lay an average of 3-5 eggs. Born with white natal down, the baby owlets leave the nest about 21 days after hatching.

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location: Missoula, Montana

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time zone: Mountain Time

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Only the females incubate eggs, and will brood for 3-4 weeks, while males provide food at night and protection.

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We first found the female Long Eared Owl on this nest on March 19, 2013.

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While 1-10 eggs may be laid, 4-5 is a more common clutch size.

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Long Eared Owl eggs are white and oval, typically laid at 2 day intervals and hatch asynchronously.

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Chicks usually leave the nest at around 3 weeks and start flight at 4.5 weeks.

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The chicks will change their white of the natal or first down plumage to a more gray colored second down plumage, which is also when their juvenile flight feathers will also start to develop.

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Long-eared owls have conspicuous ear tufts closely placed and upright on their big, round heads.

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The Long-eared owl's closest relative is the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus).

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They can be found all over the world and on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

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On average, females are slightly heavier and darker than males.

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Long-eared owls are most active at night or during the crepuscular periods.

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Their primary prey is small mammals, such as Microtus voles, but they may take small birds and other prey on occasion.

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Long-eared owls locate most of their prey by sound.

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They roost communally during winter in groups of 2 to 20, but records exist of 100 or more.

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LEOWs will roost and nest in dense vegetation adjacent to open grasslands, fields, and other open hunting grounds.

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They do not build nests. Instead they will use abandoned stick nests of Corvids or other birds, as well as open cavities in trees and cliffs.

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Before they are capable of flight, chicks leave the nest and disperse among nearby branches.

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Chicks begin their first sustained flight around 35 days after hatching.

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Long-eared owls have asymmetrical ear openings: the left is positioned higher than the right opening, aiding the bird in finding prey by sound.

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LEOWs can live for nearly 28 years in captivity, although their average lifespan in the wild is probably only a couple of years.

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Long-eared owls are thought to be migratory, nomadic, and year-round residents in various parts of their range.

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Long-eared owls have ear tufts that stand closer together and more upright while Great Horned Owls' ear tufts are widely space and face outwards.

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Under controlled conditions Long-eared Owls have been able to can catch mice in complete darkness.

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The hoot of the male Long-eared Owl can sometimes be heard up to 1 kilometer away.
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Named after its prominent “ear” tufts, the Long-eared Owl (abbreviated LEOW) is a medium-sized owl that travels lightly on the wing and looks slimmer and more upright on the perch than the Great Horned Owl.

Found in grasslands and open forests throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, Long-eared Owls have bright yellow-orange eyes and buffy orange facial disks, black bills, and white to buffy chest feathers with brown streaking and barring.

Equipped with acute hearing for night hunting Long-eared Owls are primarily nocturnal, spending their time on the wing in search of small mammals. Usually silent, Long-eared Owls can be occasionally heard giving a deep singular “whooooo,” a haunting call that can be heard up to a kilometer away.

One of only a handful of owl species that roost communally during the winter, Long-eared Owls nest in groups of 2-20, although records exist of 100 or more. During the breeding season, pairs form and lay an average of 3-5 eggs. Born with white natal down, the baby owlets leave the nest about 21 days after hatching.

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