[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Latin name: Asio flammeus
Size: Up to 40cms.
Distribution: Found throughout most of the UK. Scarce in north west Scotland and the west of N. Ireland.
Months seen: All year round.
Food: Mice and voles
Habitat: Fields, farmland, moors and marshes
Special features: The 'short ears', which give these birds their name, are the two short feathery tufts on top of the head. They can be raised or lowered at will. Although they are not used for hearing, they are believed to be used as a communication device to signal to other owls.
They have bright yellow eyes and are often seen hunting during the daytime. Short-eared owls have long narrow wings and are able to silently glide onto their prey.
Rather than perching in trees they prefer to perch on the ground or on fence posts. They also nest on the ground in thick vegetation.
Recent Sightings:
4 on Lincolns West Common, Lincs - Roger Goy, Wildlife Helpline - 2/3/05.
Mon Jun 25, 2012 7:48 pm
