Short-eared Owl Similar Species Comparison, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Long-eared Owls have more prominent ear tufts than Short-eared Owls with a cinnamon facial disc.

Barn Owls have a white facial disc and dark eyes while Short-eared Owls have a brownish facial disc with smudgy patches around their yellow eyes.

Northern Harriers hunt in the same habitats with a similar flight style, but they have smaller heads, longer tails, and more pointed wings.

Northern Harriers show a bold white rump patch in flight that Short-eared Owls lack.

Medium-sized owl with a rounded head and tiny ear tufts that are difficult to see. Heavily streaked overall with dark eye patches and whitish face.

In flight look for barred wing tips. Hunts during daylight, flying low over short vegetation with a mothlike quality.

Perches in the open and flies low over open areas with deep and somewhat mothlike wingbeats. This video has no audio.

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Ear tufts are small and difficult to see. Heavily streaked overall with black eye patches, yellow eyes, and a whitish face.

Most often the small ear tufts are difficult to see. Heavily streaked overall with dark eye patches and yellow eyes.

In flight, not banded wingtips and large buffy patch on the wings.

Widespread owl with variation in plumage color. Heavily streaked and sometimes spotted looking overall with dark eye patches and a whitish face.

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