Long-eared owls are medium-sized owls that are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. They get their name from their distinctive long ear tufts, which can be raised and lowered at will to express the owl’s mood. Long-eared owls areSlim clinging to branches, see their slender bodies rather small face with bright yellow eyes. These nocturnal birds have mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. They are adept hunters that can capture prey by sight in low light as well as by sound, using their exceptional hearing to locate small mammals in vegetation or under snow.
Long-eared owls live in a variety of semi-open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs for roosting, including farmland, parks, open woodland, and scrubland. They are flexible in using various nest sites, often utilizing old nests of crows, magpies, or squirrels high in a tree. Long-eared owls form loose nesting colonies, but are highly territorial around their nest sites. These owls are migratory over much of their range, moving south in winter months when food becomes scarce. They primarily feed on voles and other small rodents, but will also take birds, reptiles and insects.
Some key facts about where long-eared owls live:
- Found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia.
- Prefer semi-open habitats like farmland, parks, open woodland.
- Require scattered trees or shrubs for roosting and nesting.
- Often nest in abandoned crow, magpie, or squirrel nests high in trees.
- Form loose nesting colonies but are territorial around nests.
- Migratory over much of range, moving south in winter months.
Geographic Range
Long-eared owls have an extensive geographic range that spans much of the Northern Hemisphere. There are several subspecies that have adapted to the diverse habitats found across Eurasia and the Americas.
Eurasia
In Europe and Asia, long-eared owls occupy a broad swath from Britain eastward across temperate areas to Japan. The range extends as far north as Norway and Sweden. Southern boundaries reach Spain, Italy, Turkey, Iran, and Korea. Habitats used are similar to North America, encompassing mixed farmland, open woodlands near fields or grasslands, and some urban parks and gardens.
Some specific countries and regions where Eurasian long-eared owls are found:
- United Kingdom and widespread across Europe
- Western Russia and west Siberia
- Turkey, Iraq, Iran
- Central Asian nations such as Kazakhstan
- Russian Far East
- China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan
North America
The long-eared owl’s breeding range extends across Canada and the northern United States. It encompasses:
- Alaska and much of Canada
- Northern Plains states south to Nebraska
- Great Lakes region and Northeastern U.S.
- Appalachian Mountains
- Pacific Northwest and West Coast
During winter, the owls shift southward, with some reaching as far as Mexico and the southern U.S. They are rare vagrants to the southernmost states.
Habitats
Long-eared owls use a variety of semi-open habitats across their range, including:
- Agricultural areas – pastures, fields, hedgerows
- Open woodlands and edges – especially near meadows or wetlands
- Parks, cemeteries, and other green spaces in urban areas
- Riparian corridors along streams and rivers
- Coniferous or mixed forests (less commonly)
- Alpine meadows
Key features are a mosaic of open areas for hunting and scattered trees, shrubs, or other lookout perches. Access to rodent prey is essential. Shelterbelts, abandoned farm buildings, and edges of human settlement also provide habitat.
Breeding Range and Nest Sites
Long-eared owls nest in scattered colonies across their breeding range, centered on areas with adequate food. Nest selection is flexible and adaptive.
Nest Sites
Long-eared owls utilize a variety of arboreal nest sites:
- Old crow, magpie, hawk, or squirrel nests high in trees
- Tree cavities or crevices in live or dead trees
- Stick nests built by the owls
- Artificial nest platforms provided for raptors
- Dense coniferous trees
Nest height is typically 10-30 feet. Evergreens are preferred in coniferous habitats. Almost any tree species with good overhead cover may be used in mixed forests or woodlands. Old human constructions such as barns or abandoned buildings can also shelter nests.
Colonial Nesting
Long-eared owls are somewhat colonial in their nesting habits:
- Loose colonies form in areas centered on good vole and mouse habitat
- Nest proximity averages about 200 yards but can be much closer
- Territories directly around nests are vigorously defended
- Colonies may persist for many years in suitable habitat
These semi-colonial settlements allow for cooperation in defending young from predators. The clustered nests also provide breeding owls with more options to evaluate nesting sites each season.
Non-Breeding Range
During the non-breeding season, long-eared owls shift away from nesting areas towards more southerly regions. Food availability is a key driver of winter movements.
Winter Range
Most long-eared owls vacate Canada and the northern U.S. in winter:
- Shift south to southern Canada and U.S.
- Some overwinter as far south as Mexico
- Rare vagrants may reach California, the Gulf Coast, and Florida
- Partial migration, some owls are year-round residents
In Eurasia, the winter range extends from Britain and central Europe south to the Mediterranean region. In Asia, southern China, Korea, and Japan mark the winter limits.
Roosting Habits
Wintering owls utilize dense conifer thickets, shrubby areas, and tree cavities for winter roosts and shelter. Habitats include:
- Conifer groves and shrublands
- Marshes, edges of ponds and streams
- Hedgerows, fence lines, windbreaks
- Abandoned farm buildings
- Cities parks and cemeteries with mature trees
They may roost solitarily or in small groups. Long-eared owls are highly nocturnal during winter, seldom seen outside of daylight hours.
Food Requirements
Access to adequate prey is a key factor influencing winter movements and habitat use:
- Voles and mice remain primary prey
- Will shift to where rodents are abundant
- Also take birds, insects, reptiles opportunistically
- Can hunt by day during winter if stressed by hunger
Good winter vole habitat with protective cover nearby allows owls to overwinter further north than areas with sparse prey.
Diet and Hunting
Long-eared owls are specialized predators of small mammals, particularly voles and mice. Their hunting is adapted to seize this prey.
Primary Prey
Two rodent groups dominate the diet:
- Voles – Field or meadow voles most often taken, but also pine and red-backed voles
- Mice – Deer mice and white-footed mice, also harvest mice
Voles and mice typically make up at least 80-90% of prey items, but vary seasonally and locally with food availability.
Secondary Prey
Other prey eaten opportunistically:
- Small birds – Sparrows, warblers, european starlings
- Insects – Beetles, moths, crickets
- Reptiles and amphibians – Snakes, lizards, frogs, salamanders
- Shrews, young rabbits, fish, bats, and weasels
These prey provide supplemental food but are not main food sources. Diet shifts in winter or low vole years.
Hunting Adaptations
Long-eared owls have excellent adaptations for locating and catching small mammal prey:
- Low, buoyant flight for aerial hunting
- Alert upright posture watching and listening for prey
- Excellent hearing can pinpoint rodent under vegetation
- Great night vision and light sensitivity
- Talons and beak adapted for swift kills
- Can hunt by day if needed
Rodents are most often captured on the ground after being detected by sound. But long-eared owls will also grab airborne bats and birds.
| Prey Type | Primary Hunting Method |
|---|---|
| Voles, mice | Listen for movements in vegetation, aerial stoop |
| Small birds | Wait on perch, capture in flight |
| Insects | Aerial hawking, gleaning from trees |
This diversity of hunting techniques allows the owls to utilize various microhabitats and diets across their wide range.
Threats and Conservation
Long-eared owl populations currently face a number of threats and have declined in some regions. Conservation measures are aimed at preserving key habitats.
Population Declines
Some areas of declining long-eared owl populations:
- Endangered in much of New England
- Declining and rare in Mid-Atlantic states
- Reduced by over 60% in Britain since 1930s
- Less common than historically across Europe
Exact causes are uncertain but likely include habitat loss and competition with barred owls. Despite regional declines, long-eared owls remain widespread globally.
Habitat Threats
Habitat loss and changing land use patterns:
- Conversion of meadows and pasture to cropland
- Abandonment of farms leading to forest regeneration
- Development of rural lands for human use
- Intensive timber harvesting
- Nest disturbance from human activity
Loss of suitable vole habitat and changes to open woodlands degrade the owl’s specialized ecosystem.
Conservation Actions
Some recommended conservation measures:
- Protection of remaining grasslands and meadows
- Preservation of hedgerows, fence lines, and windbreaks
- Conservation of wetlands and riparian buffers
- Responsible forest management mimicking natural disturbance
- Nest boxes and platforms to provide alternative sites
Continued monitoring of populations and research on habitat needs will also inform conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Long-eared owls utilize a broad range of semi-open habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. They require a patchwork of open areas for hunting small mammals along with scattered trees and shrubs for nesting and roosting. Though partially migratory, access to adequate prey is necessary both in their breeding and wintering grounds. Conservation of remaining grasslands, open woodlands, and native vegetation will benefit these specialized owls into the future. Their adaptive nesting habits provide resiliency, but continued habitat loss poses threats to populations in some regions. Maintaining ample habitat across the long-eared owl’s range will ensure the survival of these unique raptors.
