Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
NL: Ransuil
D: Waldohreule
F: Hibou moyen-duc
Latin name: Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Owls
Sound: In the breeding season a low, faint, repeated ‘how’. In flight a sharp ‘tick’, as from a Coot.
Field characteristics: 36 cm. Similar to Miniature Eagle Owl or Short-eared Owl, but darker, with longer ear tufts than Short-eared Owl. Wings longer than Tawny Owl. Whole plumage brown, heavily streaked. Face veil paler than Tawny Owl, feathers around bill gray or almost white, extending above and below eyes. iris orange. Nocturnal lifestyle, but occasionally seen during the daytime during migration (coastal). In winter with a few to dozens on joint roosts, sometimes in bare trees, but even then surprisingly difficult to detect. However, prefers conifers and conifers. Set ear tufts upright and flatten body feathers when disturbed. Breeds in abandoned nests of other birds, usually crows and birds of prey.
Appearance: Common and numerous.
Habitat: In various wooded areas, even in monotonous coniferous forest, but usually not in (high) mountains. Hunts in areas with low vegetation, such as swamps, meadows, fields.
Food: Mainly voles, but also smaller birds.
Song/call:
