Is the long-eared owl rare?
Although widely distributed across Britain and Ireland, the Long-eared Owl remains a scarce breeding species and one that is easy to overlook.
How can you identify a long-eared owl?
The long-eared owl is a medium-sized owl, smaller in size than a woodpigeon. It often looks long and thin, with head feathers (known as ear tufts, even though they are not ears) which it raises when alarmed. It is buff-brown with darker brown streaks and deep orange eyes.
How common are long eared owls UK?
The Long Eared Owl is Britain’s rarest owl species and notoriously difficult to survey. It is thought that there is a UK population of just 1,500-2,000 pairs.
What is the difference between a long-eared owl and a short eared owl?
Short-eared Owl has a longer wingspan and has narrower, more pointed, wings. Long-eared Owl: Clyde Upperparts quite dark, with less contrast on the upperwing (photo: John Anderson).
Why do long-eared owls have Tufts?
Despite being called the ‘long-eared’ owl, the tufts on its head aren’t actually ears at all; they are simply used to make it look bigger!
Does the long-eared owl live in groups?
Long-eared owls are nocturnal. They live in pairs during the breeding season, but may roost together in small groups during the winter. Long-eared owls are not territorial. Other long-eared owls are nomadic.
Do long-eared owls have long ears?
Basic Description. Long-eared Owls are lanky owls that often seem to wear a surprised expression thanks to long ear tufts that typically point straight up like exclamation marks. These nocturnal hunters roost in dense foliage, where their camouflage makes them hard to find, and forage over grasslands for small mammals.
Do long-eared owls fly during the day?
When flying by day, long-eared owls are often mobbed by diurnal birds such as corvids and other birds of prey. Often long-eared owls will discharge a fairly large amount of pellets and drop them below regular day roosts. Unlike most other owls, the species has no territorial hunting ground.
What is the most common owl in the UK?
tawny owl
The tawny owl is the most common British owl species – listed below are the most common owl species found in the UK.
What time do owls come out?
The best time of day to see owls is at dawn or dusk when these birds are more easily spotted and more active. A moonlit night can also be a great time for owling, when the moon provides more light for effective owl spotting.
What is the wingspan of a long-eared owl?
90 to 100 cm.
Long-eared owls have long, rounded wings and a long tail. The wings are so long that they cross each other in the back when the bird is perched. The wingspan of adults ranges from 90 to 100 cm.
How does the long-eared owl protect itself?
Long-eared owls are the slimmest of all North American owls. This shape helps them hide from predators. When they are perched, long-eared owls stretch out their body flatten their feathers to make themselves look like a tree limb.
What does a long eared owl look like?
It lives in dense woodland and is a skilful hunter. The long-eared owl’s eggs are white in colour. Young long-eared owls are much paler than adults, with fluffy feathers. The long-eared owl’s ear tufts are raised when it is alarmed. When the long-eared owl’s ear tufts are down it is easy to confuse it with the short-eared owl.
Are there any owls in the British Isles?
There are five resident owl species found in the UK and British Isles, four of which are native ( barn, tawny, long-eared and short-eared) and one ( little) was introduced in the 1800s. Only three of these species are found in Northern Ireland: barn, long-eared and short-eared owl.
What is the scientific name for an eared owl?
The scientific name is from Latin. The genus name Asio is a type of eared owl, and otus also refers to a small eared owl.
What kind of animal do long eared owls eat?
Wood Mouse and Common Rat are the most important small mammal prey species for Long-eared Owls in Ireland. Small birds become more important for Long-eared Owls outside of the breeding season, with finches, buntings and thrushes presumably take from their overnight roosts.