Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
One of New Jersey’s six large owls, the Short-eared Owl reaches a height of 16 inches (40 cm). Small “ear” tufts are present on a large, round head. The underparts are heavily streaked. The face area has dark patches, and the eyes are yellow. Like other species of owls, the female is larger than the male.
If you want to see a Short-eared Owl, then you need to search open habitats such as uncultivated fields, pastures, airports, refuge dumps, as well as fresh and saltwater marshes. In coastal aquatic habitats, they tend to be located in areas where they would not be subjected to rising and falling tidal flow. They are NOT a woodland species. However, during the winter, Short-eared Owls roost in trees.
If you want to see a Short-eared Owl, then you need to search open habitats such as uncultivated fields, pastures, airports, refuge dumps, as well as fresh and saltwater marshes. In coastal aquatic habitats, they tend to be located in areas where they would not be subjected to rising and falling tidal flow. They are NOT a woodland species. However, during the winter, Short-eared Owls roost in trees.
After courtship and mating, four - seven eggs are laid in a constructed nest located among vegetation on dry ground. Unlike most owls, Short-eared Owls actually make a nest out of matted down grass and down feathers. Considering the location of the nest and thus the potential for predation by mammalian predators, at about two weeks of age (even before they can fly), the young begin dispersing from the nest site (they move into the vegetation away from the actual nest site). However, care of the young by the parents continues. Fledging (ability to begin flying) occurs in about one month.
The Short-eared Owl is a migrant species. It breeds in the north. Conversely, in the fall some Short-eared Owl leave this breeding area and move south. Thus, owls enter New Jersey (and many other states) from late October into mid November. Some stay in the state and represent winter residents. As spring approaches, the majority leave New Jersey and begin their journey back north to breed.
The Short-eared Owl is a migrant species. It breeds in the north. Conversely, in the fall some Short-eared Owl leave this breeding area and move south. Thus, owls enter New Jersey (and many other states) from late October into mid November. Some stay in the state and represent winter residents. As spring approaches, the majority leave New Jersey and begin their journey back north to breed.
Status
The number of Short-eared Owls that overwinter in New Jersey varies from year to year. However, breeding Short-eared Owls are considered endangered. The species may no longer nest in the state, although at one time small numbers were known to do so.
The number of Short-eared Owls that overwinter in New Jersey varies from year to year. However, breeding Short-eared Owls are considered endangered. The species may no longer nest in the state, although at one time small numbers were known to do so.
Short-eared Owls utilize aerial hunting (flying in search of prey in contrast to the perch and pounce strategy) in open habitats and have a strong preference for mammalian prey, especially various species of mice. However, they also prey on other rodents (e.g., voles, rats), shrews, moles and rabbits. In some locations, such as coastal areas, birds may comprise a large part of their diet. A variety of avian species may be taken such as perching birds, shorebirds, gulls and storm petrels.
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
References:
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Sutton, C. and P. Sutton. 1994 How to Spot an Owl Chapters Publishing Ltd., Shelburne, VT.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
Wiggins, D. A., D. W. Holt and S. M. Leasure. 2006. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/062
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Sutton, C. and P. Sutton. 1994 How to Spot an Owl Chapters Publishing Ltd., Shelburne, VT.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
Wiggins, D. A., D. W. Holt and S. M. Leasure. 2006. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/062
Short-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owls can be observed in open habitat such as marshlands where they fly during the daylight hours in search of prey.
Short-eared owls are a species that prefers OPEN habitat
Habitat Preference Summary
Credits: Short-eared Owl (Terry Alexander|Dreamstime) / Map (Ioannis Ioannou) / Rodents, Shrew, Habitat, Long-eared and Short-eared Owl Illustrations (Dorling Kindersley) / Short-eared Owl in Habitat Scene (Allan Brooks)
