by Charlie Fineran

Hi Everyone:

The Short-eared Owl, is most commonly seen, late in the afternoon, as it begins to move about preparing for a night of hunting.  It may often be identified a great distance by its habit of hovering, its flight is erratic and bounding as it flies low over the ground.  Occasionally several birds may be seen at once, an indication that small rodents are especially numerous below.  This open-country hunter is one of the world’s most widely distributed owls, and among the most frequently seen in daylight.  They course silently over grasslands on broad wings, especially at dawn and dusk.  They use their acute hearing to hunt small mammals and birds. 

DESCRIPTION –  16 inches.  A crow-sized, long winged owl of open country.  Tawny-brown with rather heavy streaks below; blackish patch around each eye.  Very short ear tufts rarely visible.

VOICE – Usually silent; on nesting ground, gives a variety of barks, hisses and squeals.

HABITAT – Freshwater and salt marshes; open grasslands, prairies and salt marshes.  Open country generally during migration.

NESTING – 5-7 white eggs in a grass-lined depression on the ground, often concealed in weeds or beneath a bush.  Male brings food for young, gives it to the female, who actually feeds the young and broods them in cold weather.  If the nest is threatened, adults may fly at intruder and make loud wing claps.  Young may leave nest on foot after 12 to 18 days, they can fly 28 to 37 days.

RANGE – Breeds from Alaska across Canada, and south locally to California, Kansas and New Jersey.  Winters in southern part of breeding range and south throughout United States to Central America.  Also in South America and most of Old World.

STORY BEHIND PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 10:00AM  Just left my house, I am driving down Youngs Island in Allamuchy, NJ to get my breakfast and coffee.  Suddenly I notice a tawny medium size bird fly right in front of my car into the field.  Get the camera going and actually made a nice video of two Short-eared Owls working the field.  One of the owls flew right back towards me and then landed atop a telephone pole right in front of me.  Took my photos through the front windshield!  This past week has been busy around here with many birders taking photos of these owls in the late afternoon.  I had taken some videos then which I will post on Facebook and my Flickr site.  OBSERVATION – While owls are probably more exciting to see than our other hawks, because you don’t see them that often!!!  I don’t believe they are as exciting to actually watch during their hunt!!  The Northern Harrier has a much more pronounced and erratic flying pattern!!  Keep in mind both the Northern Harrier and the Short-eared Owl are using their keen sense of hearing more than their eyesight during the hunt!!

Please visit my Flickr site for additional photos and videos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72177720314276136

SHORT-EARED OWL FACTS:

As suggested by their wide global distribution, Short-eared Owls can travel long distances over vast expanses of ocean.  Witnesses have reported seeing these owls descending on ships hundreds of miles from land.

Normally reluctant to leave the nest, (keep in mind nests are on the ground) female Short-eared Owls that are forced to flush often defecate on their eggs. The resulting putrid smell may repel predators or mask the scent of the nest.

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran