Long-Eared Owl

Asio otus

Description:

The Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized woodland Owl. They have prominent ear tufts sitting in the middle of the head. Plumage is brown and buff, with heavy mottling and barring over most of the body. Male plumage tends to be lighter than females. The eyes are golden yellow, facial disk pale to rufous, and the bill is black. The legs and feet are heavily feathered. Juveniles are similar to adults but less heavily marked. The head tufts are shorter and less defined and facial disk darker. Body feathers are tipped with greyish white. Though widespread and relatively common in its range, it is rarely seen.

Habitat:

A bird of temperate forests, the Long-eared Owl roosts and nests in trees by day and hunts in open areas by night.

Notes:

Not ten feet away from me, this owl drew a crowd being so comfortable with people.

Species ID Suggestions

52 Comments (1–25)

Josh Asel 11 years ago

Thank you Gilma :)

Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman 11 years ago

Beautiful, Congratulations.

Josh Asel 11 years ago

and i'm starting to get jealous of yours and Emily's RLHA spottings ;p
thanks again.

AshleyT 11 years ago

I know I've already told you how much I like this picture, but I am very jealous of the fact that you found one out in the open, just sitting there. And a very pretty one at that! I hope one day that happens to me lol

Josh Asel 11 years ago

Haha thank you too Jakubko.

Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Beautiful, Joshua! What an amazing experience! WOW! Thanks fo sharing.

Josh Asel 11 years ago

Thank you very much Braulio! :)

Braulio Rivas Tapia 11 years ago

Wow!
Great compositions!
A very well deserved spotting!

Josh Asel 11 years ago

Thanks Willie! Yeah i was so surprised when i saw this guy just hanging out. I like yours though because of the natural setting.

williefromwi 11 years ago

Beautiful bird beautifully captured. I was lucky enough to make a spotting of these birds a few weeks ago. They are abundant in many places, but rarely seen and even more rarely photographed.