• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Local Navigation
  • Skip to Search
  • Skip to Sitemap
  • Skip to Footer

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus ORDER: STRIGIFORMES FAMILY: STRIGIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

  • Similar Species
  • Related Species
  • Go to:
Short-eared Owl Photo

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

A bird of open grasslands, the Short-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed owls in the world. It is found across North America, South America, and Eurasia, and on many oceanic islands.

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Owls
Owls
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized owl.
  • Mostly mottled brown.
  • Chest pale with thin streaks.
  • Head large and round.
  • Large buff wing patch on outer wing visible in flight.
  • Flies close to ground with characteristic floppy flight.

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Short-eared Owl Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Similar Species

  • Long-eared Owl is darker, with prominent ear tufts, and barring on the belly, but is very similar in flight.