There is a distinctive owl that flies low over grasslands and wetlands while searching for small animals.
This is the Short-eared Owl.
Unlike many owls that are strongly associated with forests, the Short-eared Owl often lives in open environments such as grasslands, wetlands, farmland, and tundra.
It is also more likely than many other owl species to be active during daylight, especially around dawn and dusk.
In this article, we’ll explore the Short-eared Owl’s appearance, habitat, diet, hunting methods, reproduction, behavior, and ecological role.
What Is the Short-eared Owl?
The Short-eared Owl belongs to the family Strigidae.
Its scientific name is Asio flammeus.
Despite its English name, “Short-eared Owl” does not mean that its actual ears are unusually short.
The name refers to the very short ear tufts on top of the head, which are usually difficult to see.
Basic information includes:
- Common name: Short-eared Owl
- Scientific name: Asio flammeus
- Order: Strigiformes
- Family: Strigidae
- Habitat: Grasslands, wetlands, farmland, tundra, and open fields
- Diet: Small mammals, especially voles and mice, as well as small birds
- Activity: Mainly at dusk and night, but sometimes during the day
- Notable feature: Very short ear tufts and low hunting flight
Appearance
The Short-eared Owl has brown, buff, and cream-colored plumage that provides excellent camouflage in dry grass and open fields.
Typical characteristics include:
- Brown and buff plumage
- Pale facial disk
- Bright yellow eyes
- Dark markings around the eyes
- Relatively long wings
- Very short ear tufts
- Vertical streaks on the chest and belly
- Rounded head
Its bright yellow eyes are one of its most striking features.
Size
The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl.
Its body length is generally around 34–43 cm, and its wingspan can reach approximately 85–110 cm.
It usually weighs only several hundred grams.
Its relatively long wings make it well suited to low, slow flight over open landscapes.
Are Its Ears Really Short?
The name “Short-eared Owl” refers to the ear tufts, not the actual ear openings.
These tufts are extremely short and often almost invisible.
The owl may raise them briefly when alert or excited, but they are far less obvious than the long ear tufts of the Long-eared Owl.
As a result, the Short-eared Owl often appears to have a smooth, rounded head.
Where Does the Short-eared Owl Live?
The Short-eared Owl prefers open landscapes rather than dense forests.
Typical habitats include:
- Grasslands
- Wetlands
- Reed beds
- Farmland
- Pastures
- Coastal grasslands
- Tundra
- Open fields
Areas with abundant small mammals are particularly attractive.
Grasslands and wetlands with large vole populations can become excellent hunting grounds.
Distribution
The Short-eared Owl has one of the widest distributions of any owl species.
It occurs across parts of:
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Asia
- Some oceanic islands
Some populations migrate depending on season and food availability.
In Korea, it can be observed mainly during winter or migration periods.
Is the Short-eared Owl Active During the Day?
One of the most interesting characteristics of the Short-eared Owl is that it can often be seen hunting during daylight.
Many owl species are strongly nocturnal, but Short-eared Owls may hunt:
- At dawn
- At dusk
- On cloudy days
- During winter daylight
- During the breeding season
Because of this, they can sometimes be easier to observe than more strictly nocturnal owls.
What Does the Short-eared Owl Eat?
The Short-eared Owl is a carnivorous bird of prey.
Its diet commonly includes:
- Voles
- Mice
- Lemmings
- Other small mammals
- Small birds
- Young birds
- Occasionally large insects
Its most important prey consists of small rodents, especially voles.
When rodent populations increase, more Short-eared Owls may gather in the same area.
How Does It Hunt?
The Short-eared Owl is famous for flying low over open ground while searching for prey.
Instead of waiting on a high tree perch, it often patrols fields and wetlands in slow flight.
A typical hunting sequence looks like this:
- Fly low over grassland
- Use sight and hearing to locate prey
- Suddenly drop toward the ground
- Grab the prey with its talons
- Carry it to a safe place to eat
Its hunting flight can sometimes resemble the way a harrier searches over fields.
Hearing Ability
The Short-eared Owl has excellent hearing.
Like other owls, its facial feathers help direct sound toward the ears.
This is especially useful in tall grass, where prey may be hidden from view.
Even when a vole is moving beneath vegetation, tiny rustling sounds can help the owl locate it.
Why Is the Face Round?
Owls have a circular arrangement of feathers known as the facial disk.
This structure is not just for appearance.
It helps collect sound and direct it toward the ears.
In a way, the facial disk works somewhat like a satellite dish.
This helps the Short-eared Owl detect small movements in grass and locate hidden prey more accurately.
Can It Fly Silently?
Yes.
Like many owls, the Short-eared Owl can fly very quietly.
Special structures along the edges of the flight feathers help reduce turbulence and noise.
This allows the owl to approach prey without being detected easily.
Silent flight is especially useful when combined with highly sensitive hearing.
Wings
The Short-eared Owl has relatively long and broad wings.
It uses slow wingbeats and gliding to move across open country.
During hunting, it often flies close to the ground.
It may also suddenly change direction or briefly hover while searching for prey.
Does It Rest Only in Trees?
No.
Short-eared Owls often rest on the ground.
They may sit in dry grass, reed beds, or open fields where their plumage blends into the surroundings.
During the daytime, several individuals may sometimes rest in the same general area.
Reproduction
Unlike many owls, the Short-eared Owl usually nests on the ground.
The female selects an area with grass or low vegetation and creates a simple nest.
The nest may be lined with:
- Grass
- Plant material
- Feathers
This ground-nesting habit is one of the species’ most distinctive characteristics.
Why Does It Nest on the Ground?
Short-eared Owls evolved in open habitats such as grasslands and wetlands.
These environments may have few large trees or tree cavities.
As a result, nesting on the ground among vegetation became an effective strategy.
Tall grass can help conceal the nest from predators.
Eggs and Chicks
The female lays several white eggs.
When food is especially abundant, larger clutches may occur.
The female usually performs most of the incubation, while the male often brings food.
Newly hatched chicks are covered in soft white down and depend heavily on their parents.
When Do the Chicks Leave the Nest?
Young Short-eared Owls may begin moving away from the nest before they can fly properly.
They spread out into the surrounding grass.
This may reduce the risk of all chicks being lost if a predator discovers the nest.
The parents continue bringing food to the scattered chicks.
As the wings develop, the young eventually begin flying.
Courtship Flight
During the breeding season, male Short-eared Owls can perform impressive aerial displays.
They may climb high into the air and then descend while making rapid wing movements.
They can also produce a clapping sound with their wings.
These displays are used to attract females and advertise territory.
Calls
Short-eared Owls are not constantly vocal.
During the breeding season, males may produce low repeated calls or short barking sounds.
When alarmed or defending young, they may also give sharper warning calls.
Do Short-eared Owls Migrate?
Some populations move considerable distances depending on season and food availability.
Birds breeding in northern regions may move south during winter.
They may also move when vole populations decline.
For this reason, the number of Short-eared Owls seen in one location can vary greatly from year to year.
Relationship with Voles
The abundance of Short-eared Owls is closely connected to vole populations.
When voles become very numerous, several owls may gather in the same area.
Breeding success can also increase when food is plentiful.
When rodent numbers fall, the owls may move elsewhere or reduce breeding activity.
This makes the Short-eared Owl an important natural predator of grassland rodents.
Natural Predators
Adult Short-eared Owls can be attacked by larger birds of prey.
Because they nest on the ground, their eggs and chicks are especially vulnerable.
Possible predators include:
- Large raptors
- Foxes
- Feral dogs
- Feral cats
- Weasels and related mammals
- Some snakes
- Crows and ravens
Parents may defend the nesting area aggressively when danger approaches.
Short-eared Owl vs. Long-eared Owl
Both species belong to the genus Asio and can look somewhat similar.
Short-eared Owl
- Very short ear tufts
- Prefers grasslands and wetlands
- More likely to hunt during daylight
- Often nests on the ground
- Frequently hunts by flying low over open country
Long-eared Owl
- Long, obvious ear tufts
- More closely associated with woodland and forest edges
- More strongly nocturnal
- Often uses old nests made by other birds
- Usually roosts in trees
The easiest differences are ear-tuft length and habitat.
Short-eared Owl vs. Typical Forest Owls
Many owls are strongly associated with forests and tree cavities.
The Short-eared Owl is different.
It is highly adapted to open landscapes and spends much of its time hunting over grasslands, wetlands, and farmland.
Instead of relying mainly on high perches, it often searches for prey while flying low over the ground.
Is the Short-eared Owl Dangerous to Humans?
The Short-eared Owl does not view humans as prey.
It is not normally aggressive toward people.
However, during the breeding season, adults may perform defensive flights if someone approaches too close to the nest or chicks.
Wild birds should always be observed from a respectful distance.
What Should You Do If You Find One on the Ground?
A Short-eared Owl sitting on the ground is not necessarily injured.
Ground resting is normal behavior for this species.
Unless the bird shows obvious signs of injury, such as a drooping wing, bleeding, or inability to move, it is usually best not to approach.
During the breeding season, nests or young may be nearby.
Does It Help Agriculture?
Yes.
Because Short-eared Owls eat large numbers of rodents, they can provide natural pest control in agricultural landscapes.
By hunting voles and mice, they may help reduce populations of animals that damage crops.
Protecting grasslands, wetlands, and field margins can therefore benefit both owls and the broader ecosystem.
Why Is the Species Threatened?
Although the Short-eared Owl has a wide global distribution, local populations can decline.
Important threats include:
- Loss of grasslands
- Wetland development
- Changes in farming practices
- Disturbance around nesting areas
- Vehicle collisions
- Pesticides and rodenticides
- Decline in prey
Because the species nests on the ground, agricultural machinery and frequent human activity can be especially dangerous.
Why Are Rodenticides a Problem?
Rodenticides are poisons used to control rats and mice.
If a rodent eats poison and is later captured by a Short-eared Owl, the owl may suffer secondary poisoning.
Because rodents are such an important part of the owl’s diet, toxic chemicals used against prey animals can also affect the predator.
Careful use of rodenticides is therefore important for protecting birds of prey.
Ecological Role
The Short-eared Owl is an important predator in grassland and wetland ecosystems.
It helps regulate populations of small rodents.
A simplified food relationship can be shown as:
Grass and Seeds → Voles → Short-eared Owl
The owl itself may also be affected by larger predators, making it part of a more complex food web.
Interesting Facts About the Short-eared Owl
The Short-eared Owl has many fascinating characteristics.
First, its ear tufts are so short that they are often almost invisible.
Second, unlike many owls, it can often be seen hunting during daylight.
Third, it prefers grasslands and wetlands rather than dense forests.
Fourth, it hunts by flying low over open ground in search of rodents.
Fifth, it is one of the relatively unusual owl species that commonly nests on the ground.
Sixth, local numbers can change dramatically depending on vole abundance.
Seventh, males perform distinctive aerial courtship displays during the breeding season.
The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a distinctive owl of grasslands, wetlands, farmland, tundra, and other open habitats.
It has brown and buff camouflage, yellow eyes, and extremely short ear tufts.
Unlike many forest-dwelling owls, it often hunts by flying low over open fields in search of small mammals such as voles and mice.
It may also be active during daylight, making it one of the easier owl species to observe in open landscapes.
Another unusual feature is that the Short-eared Owl often nests directly on the ground.
Its movements and breeding success are strongly influenced by the abundance of rodents.
By hunting large numbers of voles and mice, it plays an important ecological role as a natural predator in grassland and agricultural ecosystems.
With its short ear tufts, yellow eyes, quiet low-level flight, and unusual ground-nesting behavior, the Short-eared Owl is a fascinating bird of prey that differs greatly from the typical image of a forest-dwelling owl.
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