In latter part of nestling period, female also hunts. Hunts mostly at night, sometimes before dusk, especially when feeding young. Generally avoids unbroken forest. The Long-eared owl is one of the most widely distributed and most numerous owl species in the world. Long-eared owls usually use nests that are built by other animals hidden in the dense vegetation of a tree. The Long-eared owl has relatively large ear slits placed asymmetrically on the sides of its head; the left ear is placed higher and right lower which allows the birds to absorb sound both from above and below. The People. Climate threats facing the Long-eared Owl. It’s the least you can do. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact Us. Speak out against the Yazoo Backwater Pumps which would drain 200,000 acres of crucial bird habitat. Favored habitat includes dense trees for nesting and roosting, open country for hunting. Depending on region, may be mostly voles, deer mice, kangaroo rats, pocket gophers, etc. Due to its ear structure, the hearing of a Long-eared owl is around ten times better than humans. Northern populations are migratory and wander south in autumn. Often Long-eared owls discharge a fairly large amount of pellets and drop them below regular day roosts; this is an easy way to locate where the birds were roosting. Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from The facial disc is visibly well developed and variably colored in the species. Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. Woodlands, conifer groves. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. It seems to call less often or less conspicuously than many of our other owls, so it may be overlooked in some areas where it nests. Photo: Howard Arndt/Audubon Photography Awards, Great Egret. Many Long-eared owls are also often killed by road traffic. Mostly small mammals. The Key to the Christmas Bird Count's 120 Years of Success? The chicks hatch helpless and blind (altricial); their eyes open at 5-7 days and they are brooded by the mother for about 2 weeks, often while the male perches nearby and watches over. During the day they usually roost on a branch, closer to the trunk within dense foliage. Loss of habitat may be part of cause. Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. The long-eared owl hunts out its prey by sweeping clearings and fields in a zig-zag flying pattern, scanning the ground for movement. Usually feeds heavily on common local rodents. Can This Critically Endangered Bird Survive Australia's New Climate Reality? Help power unparalleled conservation work for birds across the Americas, Stay informed on important news about birds and their habitats, Receive reduced or free admission across our network of centers and sanctuaries, Access a free guide of more than 800 species of North American birds, Discover the impacts of climate change on birds and their habitats, Learn more about the birds you love through audio clips, stunning photography, and in-depth text. Nest site is usually in tree, 4-30' above ground, usually at about mid-level in tree; sometimes in giant cactus or on cliff ledge. At this stage, they are called "branchers". Adult male feeds young until they are 10-11 weeks old, when they disperse from area. When approached, the owl will freezes with its body stiffly upright, eyes closed to narrow slits, and ear tufts erect. The Long-eared owl possesses a blackish bill and its eyes may vary from yellowish-orange to orange-red. In many parts of the world, Long-eared owls have even adapted to deserts, though more commonly semi-desert, and may nest and roost in available oases and hunt prey over the open desert ground. Females typically take on the duty of inspecting potential nesting sites and duets with its mate; perched on a chosen nest, she sings to contact the male. At about 35-37 days, they are fully-fledged and can fly well. Long-eared owls breed from February onwards, laying their eggs in old nests or tree hollows. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing. Long-eared owls prefer open landscapes with groups of trees, hedges or small woods, as well as pastureland with rows of trees and bushes, any type of forest with clearings, forest edges, semi-open taiga forest, swampy areas and bogs, orchards with old fruit trees, parks, even gardens and timbered areas in villages, towns or cities. Long-eared owls breed are nocturnal with most activity at dusk. When sensing danger, the chick of a Long-eared owl has a specific threat posture; the owlet will spread its wings trying to appear larger and to scare off a potential predator.