Similar Species for Short-eared Owl
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl
Adult
Long-eared Owls have more prominent ear tufts than Short-eared Owls with a cinnamon facial disc.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 04, 2007Similar Species
Barn Owl
Adult
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.
© Darren Clark | Macaulay LibraryIdaho, January 21, 2017Similar Species
Northern Harrier
Immature
Northern Harriers hunt in the same habitats with a similar flight style, but they have smaller heads, longer tails, and more pointed wings.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, February 21, 2017Similar Species
Northern Harrier
Adult male
Northern Harriers show a bold white rump patch in flight that Short-eared Owls lack.
© Tim Avery | Macaulay LibraryUtah, April 23, 2017Main Species
Short-eared Owl
Adult (Northern)
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.
© Tim Lenz | Macaulay LibraryNevada, January 01, 2013Adult (Northern)
In flight look for barred wing tips. Hunts during daylight, flying low over short vegetation with a mothlike quality.
© Tony Varela | Macaulay LibraryWashington, January 06, 2016Adult
Perches in the open and flies low over open areas with deep and somewhat mothlike wingbeats. This video has no audio.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 16, 2007Adult (Northern)
Ear tufts are small and difficult to see. Heavily streaked overall with black eye patches, yellow eyes, and a whitish face.
© Gerrit Vyn | Macaulay LibraryNew York, March 04, 2007Adult (Northern)
Most often the small ear tufts are difficult to see. Heavily streaked overall with dark eye patches and yellow eyes.
© Alex Lamoreaux | Macaulay LibraryMontana, July 01, 2015Adult (Northern)
In flight, not banded wingtips and large buffy patch on the wings.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, January 02, 2004Adult (Hawaiian)
Widespread owl with variation in plumage color. Heavily streaked and sometimes spotted looking overall with dark eye patches and a whitish face.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryHawaii, September 25, 2016