Long-eared Owl

Asio Otus

Written by Kathy Richards

The long eared owl is an uncommon owl in MA. Its wings are very long and exceed the length of the tail. It is a more slender owl and tends to sit erect with the ear tufts standing straight up or leaning towards one another. The ear tufts are closer together than that of the Great Horned Owl or screech owl.

The facial disc is a reddish-brown to burnt orange color which contrast sharply to the dark head.

It was a much more common owl at one time but by the beginning of the 20th century it had started declining.

Photo credit: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0

HABITAT:

They prefer dense conifers or mixed forests which are next to open areas for hunting. They also prefer to be near water such as streams, rivers and lakes.

In the winter they will nest communally in flocks of 5-25.

NESTING:

The long eared owl typically nests in abandoned crow, raven or hawk nests. The nest is usually 20 ft off the ground. The female adds strips of bark, leaves and feathers from her breast to the nest.

Typically they lay 4-5 eggs which are incubated for 26-28 days. Eggs will hatch in 2 day intervals. The hatchlings eyes don’t open for 3-4 days. Nesting starts in the middle of March to the middle of May.

Nests have been reported on Martha’s Vineyard, eastern MA, north central CT, the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain.

BEHAVIOR:

The long eared owl tend to be a quiet owl and just calls when it is around its nest. The calls sound like barks, meows, yelps, snorts, shrieks, cackles, chuckles and whistles. The call can easily be confused with that of other owls such as the screech owl. However, the long eared owls call is louder and carries farther. When there is an intruder or its threatened it makes an excited call sounding like Wheck! WHECK! Wheck!

Unlike many of the other owls in MA the long eared owl flies while hunting. It will fly 6-7 ft over a field with the head slightly tipped to hear prey. It will not catch birds in flight.

FOOD:

Mice, voles, small mammals, amphibians, insects and small birds.

PREDATORS:

People, the great horned owl and occasionally the barred owl. Ravens, crows and jays will mob and harass the owl.