longeared owl (Asio otus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 39 inches

• Large, nocturnal, predatory bird

• Large, rounded head with long ear tufts

• Yellow eyes

• Rusty facial disks

• Gray-brown upperparts with small black and white markings

• White underparts with black cross-shaped markings

• Sexes similar

• Often roosts in dense conifers

Similar species:

The long-eared owl is similar to the great horned owl but has cross-shaped,
not barred, markings on the underparts and is smaller. Other species of
similarly-sized owls lack large ear tufts.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat:WoodlandNest
Location:N/A
Nest Type:N/A
Clutch Size:3-8
Length of Incubation: 26-28 days
Days to Fledge:23-26
Number of Broods:1
Diet: Mostly small mammals

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February Acc

 

 

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