Bird Profiles - Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Call
Status in UK
Current breeding population is approximately 1500 pairs, although numbers appear to be falling. Birds from Europe boost the population whilst over-wintering in the UK between October and May.
Description
Current breeding population is approximately 1500 pairs, although numbers appear to be falling. Birds from Europe boost the population whilst over-
Description
The short-eared owl is more stocky and longer-winged than the long-eared owl. It is cryptically coloured in dull buffs and browns, with barring and streaking on the upper-parts, and bold dark streaking on the under-parts. The small ear tufts are invisible in the field. It has a conspicuous pale facial disc, eyes are pale yellow. It is also streaked black-brown on throat and breast. The female on the whole is darker than the male. It is diurnal as well as nocturnal. Often sits on a posts, but rarely rarely in trees.
The under-wing is whitish with blackish tips and a dark carpal mark; flight soft and wavering with slow, deep wing beats; quarters the ground low, often hovers; on breeding territory Buzzard-like circling; display flight includes wing-clapping.
Diet
Field voles are the principal quarry, but a wide variety of other small mammals such as long-tailed field mice, as well as shrews, rats and even young rabbits may be taken. Small birds are also important items at some times and places.
Habitat
Open grassy moorland, marshes, sand dunes; in winter frequents grassy marshes and grazing meadows, also adjacent arable fields and moors.
Breeding
A slow-winged display flight with occasional wing beats and wing-clapping. The nest is a roughly lined scrape hidden among grass heather, marram, or dead reeds. The 4 to 8 white eggs, though up to 14 in years when voles are plentiful, are laid in late April or early May at 2-day intervals. Incubation, by the female alone, commences with the first egg and lasts 24 to 28 days. The young leave the nest after 12 to 17 days and fly after 24 to 27 days. One brood is usual, though in years of vole abundance, two broods may be attempted.
