Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources
D i e t short-eared owlShort-eared owls consume small mammals almost exclusively. In Ohio,the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) is probably the primary prey in mostareas. Dietary studies elsewhere in North America have shown that meadowvoles comprised up to 79% of the diet. A variety of other small animals, such asmice, rabbits, and rats have been documented in short-ear diets. They will alsocapture small birds, but they are not a common food source and probably onlycaptured opportunistically.Most prey is probably detected through a keen sense of hearing, as with mostother owls. However, one study demonstrated that hunting success increases withincreased illumination, strongly suggesting that short-eared owls also rely heavilyon vision in locating prey, which makes sense given their diurnal habits.On average, one pellet per meal is produced, and these are ejected from eight toten hours after the meal is consumed, depending on the size of the prey.N e s ting short-eared owlThis is our only ground-nesting owl. As short-ears are opportunistic breeders,sites that supported many wintering owls may also have a pair remain to nest.Nests are placed within stands of relatively dense grasses, far from any woodedhabitats. The nest is built by the female, and is a shallow depression that is linedwith soft down feathers and various grasses. While not a complex affair, this is ouronly species of owl that builds its own nest.Nesting typically commences in April, with five or six eggs being laid. After anincubation period of about 30 days, the young hatch, then disperse from the nesttwo to three weeks later. The female feeds the young exclusively, although themale provides the female with food.Vo c aliz ati o n s short-eared owlWhile not an exceptionally vocal owl, Short-ears can routinely be hearduttering barking calls when engaged in agonistic encounters with other owlsor raptors. These barks, generally given in flight, can take on a hoarse yelpingquality or a harsh ascending scream.If you are lucky enough to be around an active nesting territory, the male’sAn alert short-eared owl, displaying the ear tufts.Photo by: ODNR Division of Wildlife / Tim Daniel
C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 43interesting primary song might be heard; a deep series of uniform hoots.This song is normally delivered on the wing, and is often accompanied by anon-vocal sound, loud wing-clapping created when the owl smacks the tipsof its wings together under the body.I nter e s ting Fac t s short-eared owl This is one of the most broadly distributed owls in the world, occurringon every continent but Australia. Our only owl that routinely hunts during the day (excepting the veryrare snowy owl). Can be highly migratory; a short-eared owl landed on a ship 500 milesfrom land in the Pacific Ocean. Migratory owls undoubtedly led tothe establishment of populations on Pacific islands like Hawaii.Tips fo r Fi n d i n g aS h o rt- e ar ed OwlThe best strategy for observing these fascinating owls is to visit oneof their traditional wintering areas, such as Killdeer Plains WildlifeArea in Wyandot County or the Wilds in Muskingum County. Keep inmind that numbers can vary greatly from year to year, depending uponmeadow vole populations. Any area that has expansive grasslands oropen fields might support short-ears, though.While owls can be active at any time of day, the half-hour before duskis the best time to see them at peak activity. Sometimes a dozen or morecars of birders will be patrolling the roads at Killdeer Plains during thetwilight period seeking owls! If meadow vole numbers are high, as theywere in 1999, the Wilds can be incredible for short-eared owl watching.That year, several dozen owls could be seen hunting from one location atthe same time! Wildlife observations are easy at the Wilds, as the roads arelightly traveled, and birders can use their vehicles as blinds. The owls areless frightened of cars than they are of people on foot, and sometimes anowl perched on a roadside fence post can be closely approached.hort-eared owlort-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eaRange acrossNorth AmericaBreedingWinteringYear-roundBreedingrecordsMigration &Wintering
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- Page 5 and 6: with both eyes simultaneously. Anot
- Page 7 and 8: M o d i fi ed Fe ath er s owl morph
- Page 9 and 10: Pelle t s an d W h ite wa s h findi
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- Page 15 and 16: y people placing nest boxes in barn
- Page 17 and 18: BTRACKS7-12arred owlStrix varia (St
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- Page 21 and 22: Eastern screech-owlMegascops asio (
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- Page 25 and 26: Great horned owlBubo virginianus (B
- Page 27 and 28: Normally solitary except during the
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- Page 31 and 32: O h i o S tat u s l o ng - e a re d
- Page 33 and 34: N e s ting long - e a re d o w lLon
- Page 35 and 36: Northern saw-whet owlAegolius acadi
- Page 37 and 38: likely. When one is found, a very c
- Page 39 and 40: Short-eared owlAsio flammeus (Ay-se
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- Page 47 and 48: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 47
- Page 49 and 50: Like the Northern hawk owl and grea
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- Page 53 and 54: This is the smallest owl in the wor
- Page 55 and 56: This small owl has a broad but spot
- Page 57 and 58: This species has become a symbol of
- Page 59 and 60: O T H E R N O R T H A M E R I C A N
- Page 61 and 62: Publication FundingFunding for this
- Page 63 and 64: A ppa l achi a n Fron tAu du bon So
C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 43interesting primary song might be heard; a deep series <strong>of</strong> uniform hoots.This song is normally delivered on the wing, and is <strong>of</strong>ten accompanied by anon-vocal sound, loud wing-clapping created when the owl smacks the tips<strong>of</strong> its wings together under the body.I nter e s ting Fac t s short-eared owl This is one <strong>of</strong> the most broadly distributed owls in the world, occurringon every continent but Australia. Our only owl that routinely hunts during the day (excepting the veryrare snowy owl). Can be highly migratory; a short-eared owl landed on a ship 500 milesfrom land in the Pacific Ocean. Migratory owls undoubtedly led tothe establishment <strong>of</strong> populations on Pacific islands like Hawaii.Tips fo r Fi n d i n g aS h o rt- e ar ed OwlThe best strategy for observing these fascinating owls is to visit one<strong>of</strong> their traditional wintering areas, such as Killdeer Plains WildlifeArea in Wyandot County or the Wilds in Muskingum County. Keep inmind that numbers can vary greatly from year to year, depending uponmeadow vole populations. Any area that has expansive grasslands oropen fields might support short-ears, though.While owls can be active at any time <strong>of</strong> day, the half-hour before duskis the best time to see them at peak activity. Sometimes a dozen or morecars <strong>of</strong> birders will be patrolling the roads at Killdeer Plains during thetwilight period seeking owls! If meadow vole numbers are high, as theywere in 1999, the Wilds can be incredible for short-eared owl watching.That year, several dozen owls could be seen hunting from one location atthe same time! Wildlife observations are easy at the Wilds, as the roads arelightly traveled, and birders can use their vehicles as blinds. The owls areless frightened <strong>of</strong> cars than they are <strong>of</strong> people on foot, and sometimes anowl perched on a roadside fence post can be closely approached.hort-eared owlort-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eared owl short-eaRange acrossNorth AmericaBreedingWinteringYear-roundBreedingrecordsMigration &Wintering
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