{"id":179,"date":"2025-08-12T19:32:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildpix.eu\/?p=179"},"modified":"2025-08-12T19:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:32:49","slug":"long-eared-owl-asio-otus-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildpix.karits.eu\/index.php\/2025\/08\/12\/long-eared-owl-asio-otus-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
Download image<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus<\/em>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Long-eared Owl<\/strong> is a secretive, medium-sized owl known for its long, erect ear tufts and bright orange eyes. It is widespread across the Northern Hemisphere and is often heard more than seen due to its nocturnal and elusive nature. Despite its secretive habits, in winter it sometimes forms conspicuous communal roosts, where many individuals gather in dense conifer trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd89 Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Length<\/strong>: 31\u201340 cm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wingspan<\/strong>: 86\u2013100 cm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Weight<\/strong>: 200\u2013400 g<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Appearance<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Plumage<\/strong>: Mottled brown, buff, and grey<\/strong>, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Facial disc<\/strong>: Pale buff or grey with bold black borders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Eyes<\/strong>: Large, bright orange<\/strong> or deep amber<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Ear tufts<\/strong>: Long, narrow, and held upright when alert (not ears, but feathers used for communication and camouflage)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Underparts<\/strong>: Light with heavy brown streaking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Males and females look similar; females are usually slightly larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      \ud83c\udf3f Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Preferred habitats<\/strong>:\n
          \n
        • Mixed and coniferous forests<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Woodlands with open hunting areas (meadows, farmland)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Shelterbelts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Parks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Shrublands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Needs dense trees or shrubs<\/strong> for roosting and nesting, and open areas<\/strong> for hunting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Found across Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Carnivorous<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Primarily feeds on:\n
              \n
            • Small mammals<\/strong> (voles, mice, shrews)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Occasionally small birds<\/strong>, bats<\/strong>, and insects<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hunts mostly at night by flying low and silently over open ground<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Excellent hearing allows it to locate prey even under snow or vegetation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \n\n\n\n

              \ud83d\udd01 Behavior & Life Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

              Breeding<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Breeding season: March to July<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Nests usually taken over from:\n
                  \n
                • Crows<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Magpies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Squirrels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Occasionally uses natural tree cavities or artificial nest boxes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Clutch size: 3\u20138 eggs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Incubation: ~25\u201330 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Chicks fledge after ~3 weeks but depend on parents for several more weeks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  Social behavior<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Solitary during breeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • In winter, may form communal roosts<\/strong> with dozens of individuals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    Vocalizations<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • Males<\/strong>: Deep, soft “hoo” calls repeated at intervals during breeding season<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Females<\/strong> and chicks: High-pitched begging calls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Sometimes gives harsh alarm calls if disturbed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      \n\n\n\n

                      \ud83c\udf0d Distribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      • Widespread across:\n
                          \n
                        • Europe<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Asia<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • North Africa<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • North America<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          In colder regions, some populations are migratory, moving south in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n\n\n\n

                          \ud83e\uddec Interesting Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                            \n
                          • Despite its name, its actual ears are on the sides of its head, hidden under feathers; the “ear tufts” are purely visual.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Its cryptic plumage makes it incredibly hard to spot when roosting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Communal winter roosts can sometimes be observed in city parks or cemeteries with dense evergreens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Long-eared Owls are silent fliers<\/strong> due to specialized feather structure that reduces flight noise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                            \n\n\n\n

                            \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Conservation Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                              \n
                            • IUCN Red List<\/strong>: Least Concern<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            • Stable populations in many areas, but threats include:\n
                                \n
                              • Habitat loss<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Reduction of prey populations<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Collisions with vehicles<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                              • Disturbance of roosts<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                                Conservation measures include protecting nesting habitats and maintaining healthy rodent populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                \n\n\n\n

                                The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus<\/em>)<\/strong> is a master of camouflage and stealth, rarely seen but often heard in the quiet of the night. Its haunting calls and secretive nature have made it a symbol of mystery and fascination throughout its wide range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n