The Short Eared Owl is a medium sized owl that thrives in grasslands, open meadows, tundras and prairies across most of northern North America and Eurasia. Often first seen at dusk in a low to the ground in a moth like flight over the grasslands in search of rodents that make up the most of their diet. Its plummage is a tawny brown with streaks on its pale breast. Although relatively small, they do appear quiet large in flight. Their broad wings them look that way. While flying, one could see the buffy brown color with light and dark spots under its wings. They are partially diurnal and be seen hunting at dusk and in the late afternoon on cloudy days.
Although the Short Eared Owls' range is widespread across the globe, their numbers have been reduced dramatically due to the loss of their natural habitat. They are endangered in several states! I've noticed that Bong taken measures to preserve their winter homeland.
This picture was taken 1/24/2013 at Richard Bong State Recreational Area. Bong is one of the few places in Wisconsin one can actually see these beautiful birds. After reading reports of their sightings from my birding friends, Tender Heart and I set out to find them. They can be seen flying low over the grasslands between parking lots D and E at dusk. It was a couple of times being out there, before I could actually get a quality photo. For the price of a seven buck admission, it was worth it....
Below is a video of a Short Eared Owl at Bong taken by one of my birding friends....
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6 comments:
Nice video and pic, drew. I'm learning more about birds from you than I ever knew before.
Thanks Orbs! My whole goal is to let everyone know what's out there, to inform and educate, and maybe get a couple of more binoculars out on the field...
Really neat Owls. When I lived on Wis. Ave. In Racine I was standing between the house next door, and ours, and saw 3 little owls all In a row on a limb. That's the only time I have ever seen them In the wild.
That is great Toad! Many people have never seen an owl in the wild. Most species of owls are nocturnal, therefore they more often heard than seen. Although some species like the Great Horned and the Screech Owls are more common than most people think, they are secretive and conceal themselves well in basically evergreen trees. One could walk right past them and never even know of their existence. Personally I have never seen a Screech Owl, even though I've read reports of them close by. Believe me, I've got my eyes peeled!
There were a couple of large owls flying around the city this summer. One perched on my antenna. I believe it was a great horned: looked like it had ears.
If if was large and appeared to have ear tufts, it probably was a Great Horned Owl. Both Long Eared Owls and Screech Owls have ear tufts. The Screechers are small while the Long Eared are very uncommon in the state. Either way kk, it was a good find!
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