The Short-Eared Owl can be found in open habitats across Asia, South America, Europe, Canada, Iceland, and the continental US. They prefer open areas like grasslands, marshes, and tundra. Short-Eared Owls eat small mammals and actively hunt both during the day and at night. Females lay 4-5 white eggs annually and incubate them for 24-28 days while males provide food. These owls face threats from predators and loss of habitat.

1. All About Short-Eared Owls
By: Ava Lockhart, Lucinda Lentini-Walker, and
Michael Scherer

2. The Short-Eared Owl is a
very interesting bird. They
can live in Asia, South
America, Europe, Canada,
Iceland, and the USA. In the
USA, Short-Eared Owls can
live in 10 states! The 10
states include all of Alaska,
Hawaii, and parts of
Washington, Oregon,
Minnesota, Montana,
California, Wyoming, North
Dakota, and South Dakota.
Some habitat elements the
Short-Eared Owl can use
include trees, ground (snow
covered), marshes,
grasslands, prairie, farm
fields, and tundra.
Habitat
The Short-Eared Owl’s North American
range map.
Short-Eared Owls like to hang out in the trees .
Short-Eared Owls
live in the
northwestern
corner of
Minnesota.

3. Short-Eared
Owls use their
strong talons and
sharp beaks to
pick up their food
and to pry it
open.
Diet and Eating Habits
The Short-Eared Owl
sometimes hunts
during the day and
sometimes hunts at
night. Short-Eared
Owls eat small
mammals. They’re
active hunters with
big stomachs.
The male circles around
territory to let females
know that he is available.
This happens when a
male wants a mate.
Gopher
Mouse
Rabbit

4. Survival
Short-Eared Owls have many enemies, including
humans, bears, eagles, and weasels. The average life
span for a Short-Eared Owl is up to 13 years in the
wild. Their camouflage is snowy mulch. The Short-
Eared Owl will hover over prey before dropping feet
first on top of it ,then he takes a bite.
Weasel
Eagle
Bear
Snowy Mulch
Short-Eared Owl on ground

5. Raising Young
A Short-Eared Owl has 4-5,
sometimes up to 10 white
eggs. The female tends the
nest while the male brings
food. The young owls leave
the nest 12 to 17 days after
hatching, but do not fly until
about 22 days of age. They
appear with wet, closed
eyes, with white and tan
natal down. The short, oval
eggs are
laid in 2-day intervals; the female incubates the eggs, beginning
with the first egg, for 24 to 28 days. Their mating season is in spring,
and they can nest on the ground, in amid grasses, and on low
plants, often on ridges or hummocks.
Short-Eared Owl on tree
Baby Short-Eared Owl

6. Physical Characteristics and Traits
A Short-Eared Owl is
about 15 inches tall when
full grown, and about 12
ounces. When full grown,
the Short-Eared Owl’s
wingspan about 38-40
inches. Also, it is about as
big as a crow. A Short-
Eared Owl has bright
yellow eyes, with dark
marks around them. They
have a black, curved beak,
and are light brown,
black, white, and gray.
Short-Eared Owls are oval-
shaped with ear tufts.

7. Fun Facts
1. The Short-Eared Owl is ENDANGERED!!!!
2. The Short-Eared Owl is as big as a crow
3. It has 4 names: Búho Sabenero (Spanish), Hibou des Marais (French), and Asio Flammeus
(Scientific), and Short-Eared Owl (Normal)
4. There has been a flight documented by a Short-Eared Owl that was 1,200 miles long.
5. The Short-Eared Owl is one of the two owl species living on the Hawaiian Islands. It is believed
that they may have traveled down from Alaska. The other owl species on the Hawaiian Islands is
the Barn Owl.
6. The Short-Eared Owl has asymmetrical ears.
7. Short-Eared Owls call before hatching out of nest. In 7 days, they have a low-pitched call.
8. The Short-Eared Owl is one of the few owl species that nests on the ground. The female makes the
nest, and makes a scrape and then lines it with grass stems, herb stalks, and feathers.
9. Peregrine Falcons, Snowy Owls, Great Horned Owls, Red-Tailed Hawks, Common Ravens, Bald
Eagles, etc. are predators of the Short-Eared Owl.
10. Flammeus, “fiery” refers to the Short-Eared Owls boldly streaked plumage, which provides
excellent camouflage in the open grasslands this bird favors.

8. Help the Short-Eared Owl
Short-Eared Owl Information

9. Citations
Websites
1 www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/short-eared_Owl/lifehistory
2 www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_5/NWRS/central_zone/
3 www.owling.com/north-american-owls/
4 www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=ABNSB13040
5 rtpi.org/short-eared-owl-camouflaged/
6 www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Asio_flammues/
7 www.millstonenews.com
8 thoughtco.com
9 raccoonvalleyradio.com
Books and Articles
1 Owls Cynthia Berger Stack pole Books Mechanicsburg ,PA 2005
2 Owls of the North David Benson Stone Ridge Press MN, 2008
3 Owls Diane Swanson White Cap Books Vancouver, Toronto 1997
4 Birds of Prey of the World Robin Chittenden St. Martins Press NY, 2004
5 Owls of the world Dr. James R. Duncan, Firefly Books, NY, 2003
6 Birds of the North America, Jonathon Metcalf American Museum of Natural History NY, © 2009