Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Identification & Behavior: ~39 cm (15.3 in). The Short-eared Owl is tawny with dusky streaks on the head, neck, and breast. The facial discs are tawny or pale tawny. When perched it has a long and slender appearance. The iris is yellow. It has vestigial ear tufts. It forages by flying over marshes and grasslands often during the day.  It is distinguished from the Burrowing Owl by a large and longer size, tawny overall coloration, black around the eyes, and by having feathered legs. The foraging strategy is similar to that of a Barn Owl.

Status: The Short-eared Owl is rare to uncommon in the coastal lowlands and Lomas vegetation, the Lake Junin area, and also the Titicaca Basin. It may appear at the right habitats for weeks and then disappear. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Lechuza de Oreja Corta.

Sub-species: Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus suinda), Vieillot, 1817.

Meaning of Name: Asio: L. a type of eared owl. Clamator: L. clamare, clamator= screamer, that screams. flammeus: L. flammeus, flamma = flaming, burning, fiery red.

See more of the Family Strigidae