The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized with brown feathers and black streaks on the chest, stomach, and back.
The male short-eared owls tend to have light colored feathers than females. This coloring of their feathers acts as a camouflage; however when this fails they will feign death to escape predators.
The average wingspan of a short-eared owl is 41 inches for males and 42 inches for females.
The average size of the owl is 13-17 inches long.
Habitat:
Short-eared Owls typically inhabit grasslands, farming fields, salt marshes, and mountain meadows.
They typically conceal their nests with brush, and grass. However they also nest in trees in the winter months.
Breeding:
The male short-eared owl will perform aerial displays and lock talons in mid-air as well as fight in mid-air.
Nesting is tyically situated on the shelter of a grass mound and made by the female of grass stems, herb stalks, etc.
The average amount of eggs laid by the short-eared owl can be anywhere from 4-14 eggs with large amounts being laid in years of an abundance of food.
Niche:
Short-eared Owls are secondary consumers(Carnivores), their diet consists mainly of small mammals, and birds. Meadow Voles are their primary prey.
Status
Threatened
Why is the species on the list?
The Short-eared Owl status is due to its breeding habitat allowing predators to steal its eggs.
Sometimes a short-eared owl will nest on airport runways causing them to be killed by collision with any aircraft taking off or landing.
Owl/Vehicle collisions is responsible for a large amount of deaths.
Recovery Plan?:
The goverment has created conservation habitats for the short-eared owl.
Short-eared Owl numbers are being monitored by the goverment.
Short-eared Owl
Scientific Name
Description:
Habitat:
Breeding:
Niche:
Status
Why is the species on the list?
Recovery Plan?:
External Links:
Derek Frantz