Short Eared Owl or Long Eared Owl? (1 Viewer)

[Timo2112]

Hello, I have searched for this topic but haven't found a specific answer to my dilema. I went to look at owls at Rutland Water today, along by the fieldfare hide where the long eared owls roost. I saw an owl that was definitely a long eared owl, but then there was another one that was the subject of some debate. Somebody put it into my head that it was a short-eared owl, and looking at it I thought so too.
Basically from the obscured view looking through the trees at the owl, this id was based on the fact that the eyes were very definitely yellow and not the deep orange you would expect on a long-eared. So my question is, does this mean that it was a short eared owl or could it be long eared owl with pale eyes? I have looked at photos in several books, and while I know that the colouration of photos in books can be inaccurate, I have seen several photos of long-eared owls with decidedly yellow looking eyes, though all of the written descriptions and drawings highlight the 'deep orange' eyes. Also, would a short-eared owl be sitting in trees so close to roosting long-eared owls? What is a normal short-eared roosting site? There were certainly no visible ear tufts as there were on the other bird, but I know that this isn't conclusive as a long-eared can relax these. I'd be interested to know what you think.

 

[Mike Feely]

Hi Timo

I was also there today and saw the bird you are talking about. It was definitely a SEO. We viewed it from further along the path, where you can see the back of that hedge - the SEO was sitting quite out in the open allowing all of its features to be examined.

No orange on the facial disk, and the general facial pattern, thick barring on the tail and the short ear tufts when the bird was alert all confirm id. I managed to get some digiscoped photos which show the bird quite well - i'll post one on here when i have uploaded them.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Timo2112]

Thanks Mike, my feeling was that it was an SEO, but really didn't get a good enough view to be sure. Nice to have it confirmed.

Tim.