- Asio otus
Identification
This photo is of the N. American subspecies (wilsonianus) of this widespread owl.
Medium sized owl, with orange face, particularly in N. America. Two long 'ears' which give it its name. When seen close to it can look surprisingly cat-like.
Distribution
Occurs across Europe, Asia and North America, widespread and fairly common over much of the Western Palearctic. Breeds in Britain and Ireland, and from Iberia east to the Urals and Caspian, north to central Norway coast and head of the Gulf of Bothnia. Found south to the north Mediterranean coast from southern Spain to Greece and breeds on Balearics and at a few scattered sites in Turkey. Also breeds in the Azores and Canary Islands and rarely in North-West Africa. First breeding record for Egypt in 1987 and may breed at scattered sites in the Middle East.
Northern birds are mainly migratory, leaving breeding areas in October-November to winter in western and southern Europe, and returning in March-May, those further south are resident with some dispersal of young birds.
Vagrants recorded on Svalbard, Bear Island, Iceland and the Faroes to the north, and to the south in Kuwait and Iraq.
Taxonomy
There are four recognised subspecies. And there are two very closely related owls: African long-eared owl (O. abyssinicus) and Madagascar long-eared owl (O. madagascariensis).L 31�37 cm, WS 86�98 cm. Subspecies The nominate race is found over much of Western Palearctic range but replaced by smaller, darker and more heavily marked race canariensis on the Canary Islands.
Habitat
Found in deciduous, mixed and coniferous woodland and forest and patches of trees in cultivated land. In some areas such as Britain suffers from competition with Tawny Owl in deciduous woods and so tends to prefer conifers and may be found in small woods and plantations. Uses mainly old corvid nests. Often roosts communally in winter using hawthorn or thick scrub, sometimes in fairly open areas. Canary Is race often breeds in towns, palms or cactus, sometimes on cliffs.
Behaviour
Long-eared owl breeds in areas of dense vegetation close to more open areas where it can hunt. It is largely nocturnal but has to hunt in daylight in the northern parts of its range. It is sometimes encountered in daylight when it is migrating. It forms communal roosts in winter. Breeds in forests in vicinity of open country, in copses among arable fields, in larger parks with conifers, etc. Migratory in northern part of range, sedentary in S. Not scarce in Britain in optimum habitats, but declining. Nocturnal and crepuscular. Food mainly voles. Nests in old nest of other bird in tree (usually crow).
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Asio otus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
