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[[Image:Short-eared_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|BigSkyBirds|BigSkyBirds}}<br />Location: Ranch land north of Great Falls, [[Montana]], [[USA]]]]
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[[Image:Short-eared_Owl.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Subspecies ''flammeus''<br />Photo by {{user|BigSkyBirds|BigSkyBirds}}<br />Location: Ranch land north of Great Falls, [[Montana]], [[USA]]]]
;[[:Category:Asio|Asio]] flammeus
;[[:Category:Asio|Asio]] flammeus
==Identification==
==Identification==
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A medium sized owl with long wings, its flight is quite harrier like. Often seen actively hunting in daylight over open country such as moorland and savanna.
A medium sized owl with long wings, its flight is quite harrier like. Often seen actively hunting in daylight over open country such as moorland and savanna.
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In flight shows strong black area at wrist both above and on underwing, and distinct dark barring at the tips of the primaries; between these is an area on the upper wing where the base of the primaries is unbarred rusty-yellow, in good contrast to the surrounding black.
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In flight shows strong black area at wrist both above and on underwing, and distinct, coarse dark barring at the tips of the primaries; between these is an area on the upper wing where the base of the primaries is unbarred rusty-yellow, in good contrast to the surrounding black.
====Similar Species====
====Similar Species====
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[[Image:Galapagos_Owl.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Photo by {{user|docsevo|docsevo}}<br />Location: [[Galapagos Islands]]]]
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It can be confused with [[Long-eared Owl]] which is normally but not always nocturnal, and is mostly found in forested areas. Long-eared has more uniform underside when perched and lack the black area around the eyes.
It can be confused with [[Long-eared Owl]] which is normally but not always nocturnal, and is mostly found in forested areas. Long-eared has more uniform underside when perched and lack the black area around the eyes.
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In flight, the wings are not quite as long and the base of the primaries contrast less sharply with the surrounding black because of more barring and because the base of the primaries are generally darker on this species.
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In flight, the wings are not quite as long and the base of the primaries contrast less sharply with the surrounding black because of narrower dark barring that is spreading into the base of the primaries and because the base of the primaries are generally darker on this species.
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*''Notice that the Description and Identification fields are written to fit the situation in Europe''.
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*''Notice that the Identification fields are written to fit the situation in Europe''; some variation within the species is covered in the Taxonomy section.
==Distribution==
==Distribution==
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The nominate subspecies is widely distributed breeding from [[Britain]] and [[Europe]] through [[Asia]] and America south to [[California]] and [[North Carolina]]. This subspecies is mainly migratory, with some southern populations more sedentary. In [[Britain]] local in N, sporadic in S.
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Widely distributed as a breeding bird in northern [[Europe]], northern [[Asia]], [[North America|North]] and [[South America]]. The nominate subspecies is mainly migratory, with some southern populations more sedentary; southernmost populations of subspecies ''suinda'' (southern South America) migrates north in winter while most other subspecies are resident. Due to this migration, the species is found in southern Europe and northernmost Africa, parts of India and southern Asia in winter. The species is completely absent from [[Africa]] south of Sahara, [[Australia]], and parts of south and south-east Asia.
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[[Image:Galapagos_Owl.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Subspecies ''galapogoensis''<br />Photo by {{user|docsevo|docsevo}}<br />Location: [[Galapagos Islands]]]]
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
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König et al. in "Owls" recognize 8 different subspecies, with others relegated to being synonymes.
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König et al. in "Owls" recognize 8 different subspecies, with others relegated to being synonymes:
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*''flammeus'' -- the nominate subspecies is widely distributed breeding from [[Britain]] and [[Europe]] through [[Asia]] and America south to [[California]] and [[North Carolina]]. In [[Britain]] local in N, sporadic in S.
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Subspecies ''sandwichensis'' of [[Hawaii]], commonly referred to by its Hawaiian name "pueo", is smaller than most nominate birds. ''domingensis'' is a small subspecies (12% smaller than nominate) which is resident in [[Hispaniola]] and [[Puerto Rico]], and with records from [[Cuba]] as well; this subspecies may overlap with wintering nominate birds, but in breeding season is quite isolated from other forms. Subspecies ''bogatensis'' is found in northern [[South America]] in [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]] and into the Guianas, as well as in [[Ecuador]] and [[Peru]]. ''suinda'' is found south of this form, in Peru, [[Chile]], [[Brazil]] and [[Argentina]]; this is a relatively large subspecies. In the [[Falkland Islands]], the owl is represented with the subspecies ''sanfordi''. ''ponapensis'' is a subspecies found on Ponape in the Caroline Islands in the South Pacific.
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*''sandwichensis'' of [[Hawaii]], commonly referred to by its Hawaiian name "pueo", is smaller than most nominate birds.
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*''domingensis'' is a small subspecies (12% smaller than nominate) which is resident in [[Hispaniola]] and [[Puerto Rico]], and with records from [[Cuba]] as well; this subspecies may overlap with wintering nominate birds, but in breeding season is quite isolated from other forms. Some authorities recognize ''portoricensis'' for the birds in Puerto Rico.
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The subspecies ''galapogoensis'' deserves a species mention, as it is a small and very dark form with a distinct dark mask. König et al. calls for collection of additional information allowing testing of the hypothesis that this might be a full species.
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*''bogatensis'' is found in northern [[South America]] in [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]] and into The [[Guianas]], as well as in [[Ecuador]] and [[Peru]]. Some authorities recognize ''palidicaudus'' for the birds of Venezuela and The Guianas
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*''suinda'' is found south of this form, in Peru, [[Chile]], [[Brazil]] and [[Argentina]]; this is a relatively large subspecies.
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*''sanfordi'' is the subspecies found in the [[Falkland Islands]].
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*''ponapensis'' is a subspecies found on Ponape in the Caroline Islands in the South Pacific.
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*The subspecies ''galapogoensis'' deserves a species mention, as it is a small and very dark form with a distinct dark mask. König et al. calls for collection of additional information allowing testing of the hypothesis that this might be a full species.
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Breeds on heathland, in scrub among meadows, on bogs, esp. in upper tree zone in open boreal forests. Some subspecies also in dryer, open lands. In winter occur in a variety of open landscapes, often in good [[:Northern Harrier|Harrier]] habitat.
Breeds on heathland, in scrub among meadows, on bogs, esp. in upper tree zone in open boreal forests. Some subspecies also in dryer, open lands. In winter occur in a variety of open landscapes, often in good [[:Northern Harrier|Harrier]] habitat.
Revision as of 15:46, 1 November 2009
Alternative name: Pueo
Subspecies flammeus Photo by BigSkyBirds Location: Ranch land north of Great Falls, Montana, USA
Rather plain face with dark circles around the eye
Ears are small and often inconspicuous
Overall cryptically patterned
Striped underparts
Contrast between darker throat and upper breast and lighter, more uniform lower breast and abdomen.
A medium sized owl with long wings, its flight is quite harrier like. Often seen actively hunting in daylight over open country such as moorland and savanna.
In flight shows strong black area at wrist both above and on underwing, and distinct, coarse dark barring at the tips of the primaries; between these is an area on the upper wing where the base of the primaries is unbarred rusty-yellow, in good contrast to the surrounding black.
Similar Species
It can be confused with Long-eared Owl which is normally but not always nocturnal, and is mostly found in forested areas. Long-eared has more uniform underside when perched and lack the black area around the eyes.
In flight, the wings are not quite as long and the base of the primaries contrast less sharply with the surrounding black because of narrower dark barring that is spreading into the base of the primaries and because the base of the primaries are generally darker on this species.
Notice that the Identification fields are written to fit the situation in Europe; some variation within the species is covered in the Taxonomy section.
Distribution
Widely distributed as a breeding bird in northern Europe, northern Asia, North and South America. The nominate subspecies is mainly migratory, with some southern populations more sedentary; southernmost populations of subspecies suinda (southern South America) migrates north in winter while most other subspecies are resident. Due to this migration, the species is found in southern Europe and northernmost Africa, parts of India and southern Asia in winter. The species is completely absent from Africa south of Sahara, Australia, and parts of south and south-east Asia.
König et al. in "Owls" recognize 8 different subspecies, with others relegated to being synonymes:
flammeus -- the nominate subspecies is widely distributed breeding from Britain and Europe through Asia and America south to California and North Carolina. In Britain local in N, sporadic in S.
sandwichensis of Hawaii, commonly referred to by its Hawaiian name "pueo", is smaller than most nominate birds.
domingensis is a small subspecies (12% smaller than nominate) which is resident in Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and with records from Cuba as well; this subspecies may overlap with wintering nominate birds, but in breeding season is quite isolated from other forms. Some authorities recognize portoricensis for the birds in Puerto Rico.
bogatensis is found in northern South America in Colombia, Venezuela and into The Guianas, as well as in Ecuador and Peru. Some authorities recognize palidicaudus for the birds of Venezuela and The Guianas
suinda is found south of this form, in Peru, Chile, Brazil and Argentina; this is a relatively large subspecies.
ponapensis is a subspecies found on Ponape in the Caroline Islands in the South Pacific.
The subspecies galapogoensis deserves a species mention, as it is a small and very dark form with a distinct dark mask. König et al. calls for collection of additional information allowing testing of the hypothesis that this might be a full species.
Habitat
Breeds on heathland, in scrub among meadows, on bogs, esp. in upper tree zone in open boreal forests. Some subspecies also in dryer, open lands. In winter occur in a variety of open landscapes, often in good Harrier habitat.
Behaviour
It quarters the ground with its wings held up at an angle and then suddenly stalls and lands on its prey, which is often small mammals.
Partly diurnal, often the most diurnal species of owl in much of its range.
Diet
Food mainly voles, and population density in a given area can vary considerably depending on food availability.
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