Territory / Location

Long eared owl has an extensive range extending throughout North America, several Atlantic Islands, Europe and Asia as far as Japan. Partially migratory, moving south in winter from the northern parts of its temperate range.

Habitat

Long-eared owls inhabit dense vegetation close to grasslands, as well as open forests shrub lands. They are common in tree belts along streams of plains and even desert oases. They can also be found in small tree groves, thickets surrounded by wetlands, grasslands, marshes and farmlands, they are secretive and rarely seen.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Diet

Hunting in open country, catching field voles, shrews other small rodents and birds

Size / Weight

Long-eared owls are medium-sized owls. Females are generally much larger than males.

Females

260 – 435g   27 – 40cm long

Males 

220 – 305g    35 – 37.5cm long

The wingspan of adults ranges from 90 to 100 cm.

Nesting

It nests in trees, often conifers using old sticks from other nest. Breeding season is from February to July, average clutch 4-6 eggs and the incubation time averages 25-30 days. Owlets begin to explore the nest and close branches around 3 weeks and are capable of flight from 5 weeks, they still rely on being fed for up to 2 months. Long-eared owls usually begin breeding at 1 year.

Life Expectancy

11 years old is the Average age in the wild

27 years Oldest record in the wild

Scientific 
Classification

KINGDOM

Animalia

PHYLUM

Chordata

CLASS

Aves

ORDER

Strigiformes

FAMILY

Strigidae

GENUS

Asio

SPECIES

A. otus