Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 3

Species Information

Name and classification

English name

Short-eared Owl

French name

Hibou des marais

Scientific name

Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan)

Description

The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl, 34 to 42 cm in length. Adults are cryptically coloured with a blend of beige, brown, and black streaks, and are conspicuous only when in flight. The head is large and round, with small feather “ear” tufts that are not typically seen. Sexes are similar in appearance, but females are slightly larger and also tend to be darker dorsally with heavier streaking on the chest and belly. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with somewhat buffier plumage.

Short-eared Owls are often active at dawn and dusk. One of the simplest ways of identifying this species is by its moth-like foraging flight, characterized by deep wing-beats, occasional hovering, and the habit of quartering low over patches of grassland or marsh.

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