Long-eared Owl
Credit: Darrel Birkett

North American field guide

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus

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Identification

Field notes

33-41 cm (13-16") Fairly common. Widespread in woods near open fields and marshes.

Slender, medium-sized owl with long close-set ear tufts. Yellow eyes on a buffy face. In winter may roost in communal groups. Told from Great Horned Owl by smaller size, lack of white bib, streaked beneath (not barred), and closer set more erectile ear tufts.

Nocturnal.

In flight; butterfly-like.

Song: moaning "hooooos", soft barks, twitters, catlike whines.

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Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Long-eared Owl

1 rule
Rule 1 7 criteria confidence 3
Did the owl have EAR TUFTS ?
Yes · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Hooked · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Very short · Short · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Owl
result:260-long-eared-owl:1:1 Source: 260 Long-eared Owl, row 1