Owl (Short-Eared) - Overview

Order: Strigiformes

Family:  Strigidae

Species: Asio flammeus

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Population trend: decreasing

Distribution: breeds in northern Europe (including Britain), northern U.S.A., South America & Asia. Winters in southern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, India & southern Asia.

Habitat: open country such as marshes & moorland; also young conifer plantations.

Description: short, round head with tiny tufts on top. Smallish, yellow eyes. Buff colour with darker blotches. Pale underwing with dark patch, noticeable in flight. Wings are very long.

Size: length:- 34 - 42cm. Wingspan:- 90 - 110cm. weight:- 280 - 360g.

Food: mainly voles, but also other small rodents and birds.

The short-eared owl is a widespread species, found in many countries but it's survival in Europe is now a European conservation concern with amber status - find out more on the RSPB website.