This will be my last posting on Flickr for awhile, as I'm heading out to Europe and Hungary on a long awaited birding trip 😀
I'll be keeping my eye on your amazing images, but I'll be less active on my Flickr pages, All the best, Steve.
'Caught in a sunbeam'.
The elusive hunter caught in a sunbeam with its magical deep orange eyes...the stunning Long-eared Owl In full camouflage posture with raised ear tufts, staring out warily. I photographed this beauty in the last rays and sunbeams of the evening sunshine as the light was fading in one of its favoured habitats, a dense wooded thicket in West Yorkshire, UK.
Wise and regal, with an imposing stare and elusive nature. Our most nocturnal Owl, with a penchant for recycling other bird’s old nests. It lives in dense woodland and is a skilful hunter.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Long-eared Owl Notes and information:
Quick facts...
Common name: Long-eared Owl
Scientific name: Asio otus
Family: Strigidae (owls)
Habitat: coniferous or mixed woodland
Diet: voles, mice, small birds
Predators: no natural predators
Origin: native
What do long-eared owls look like?
The long-eared owl has mottled orange-brown feathers, distinct white eyebrows and striking orange eyes. It has large head feathers or ‘ear tufts’ which become raised when the owl is alarmed; normally the tufts are flattened.
It is medium in size, with a wingspan of 95cm. It looks deceptively long and thin when in flight, but is actually no bigger than a woodpigeon.
Not to be confused with: the short-eared owl. When the long-eared owl's head feathers are flattened, it can be confused with the short-eared owl. However, the short-eared has yellow eyes and is paler in colour.
What do long-eared owls eat?
The long-eared owl enjoys a diet made up of small mammals, particularly voles and mice. During the winter when food is scarce, it has been known to eat small birds. When hunting, it sweeps through open country, flying to and fro in a zig-zag pattern while scanning the ground for food. Once its prey has been spotted, the owl swoops down and bites the back of the prey's head, immobilising it instantly.
Did you know?
In winter, long-eared owls often roost in a group, which is known as a ‘parliament of owls’.
How do long-eared owls breed?
The long-eared owl is extremely elusive during the breeding season, which takes place from February onwards. It will nest in conifer trees, often rearing its young in the disused nests of other birds. It is also known to use tree hollows and artificial nesting baskets.
It lays a clutch of three to five eggs, and after around 25–30 days the chicks will hatch. The chicks are then ready to fledge 30 days after hatching, although they will still need to be fed by their parents for up to two months.
Where do long-eared owls live?
Long-eared owls live in mixed and coniferous woodland, preferring the cover of dense, shrubby thickets, hedgerows and conifer trees. They are found across the UK, although there are fewer birds in Wales and the South West. WT Notes.
The long-eared owl has striking orange eyes.
Credit: Tom Meaker / Alamy Stock Photo
Did you know?
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!
Signs and spotting tips
The best time to spot long-eared owls is when they are on migration, travelling to coastal areas, or when they are travelling to or from roosting sites during the winter. As they are nocturnal – and said to be the most nocturnal of all the owls – and hunt at night, this would be the best time to see them on the wing. Listen out for their sombre ‘hoo, hoo’ hoot during summer evenings.
Long-eared owl call
Audio: Peter Boesman / xeno-canto.org
Credit: Paul Johnson / Alamy Stock Photo
Threats and conservation
The long-eared owl is believed to be abundant in the UK; however it is difficult to determine exact populations due to the bird’s elusive nature. It has been suggested that long-eared owls are declining in some areas due to habitat loss and an increase in competition with the tawny owl.
Did you know?
There is thought to be a larger population of long-eared owls in Ireland, which could be because the tawny owl (the long-eared owl’s biggest competitor) is not present there.
Key information
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.
It breeds thinly across the UK with fewer birds in the south-west and Wales. Northern birds migrate southwards, including birds from Europe coming to spend the winter in the UK, while southern birds are residents and only move short distances to find food.
What they eat:
Small rodents, and small birds in winter.
Measurements:
Length:35-37 cm
Wingspan:84-95 cm
Weight:210-370 gPopulation:
UK breeding:1,800-6,000 pairs
Identifying features:
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey Orange
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Short Hooked Chunky
Natural habitats: Woodland Farmland Wetland
Where and when to see them
Long-eared owls are nocturnal and secretive, so unlikely to be seen other than on migration (when birds may turn up on coasts at any time of day) or when leaving or returning to a communal roost site in winter. RSPB Notes.
