Long-eared owl

Lore & Background

The long-eared owl was described by Linnaeus in 1758 under the binomial name Strix otus and is now assigned to the genus Asio, introduced by Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. The genus name Asio is Latin for 'horned owl', and the specific epithet otus is derived from Greek, referring to a small eared owl. The species prefers semi-open habitats, particularly woodland edges, roosting and nesting in dense stands of wood but hunting over open ground. It is a specialized predator focusing on small rodents, especially voles, though it can adapt to birds and insects under certain conditions such as population cycles of prey, arid or insular habitats, or urbanization. Unlike many owls, it is not strongly territorial or sedentary, and is partially migratory, sometimes characterized as 'nomadic'. It is also known for its partiality to regular roosts shared by multiple individuals.

Reader's Guide

The long-eared owl is significant as one of the most widely distributed and numerous owl species globally, yet it faces strong declines in several parts of its range, highlighting the need for continued monitoring. Its adaptability to diverse prey and habitats, including urban areas, demonstrates ecological flexibility. The species' taxonomy reveals a complex evolutionary history: genetic studies show a large distance between long-eared and short-eared owls despite being in the same genus, and the exact area of its evolutionary origin is unknown. The four recognized subspecies vary in size and coloration, with the nominate subspecies ranging across the Palearctic and the Canary Island subspecies being the smallest and darkest. The long-eared owl's reliance on nests built by other animals, especially corvids, and its communal roosting behavior are distinctive traits. Its conservation status as least concern belies regional declines, making it a species of interest for understanding broader environmental changes.

Did You Know?

• The long-eared owl is also informally called the lesser horned owl or cat owl.
• It utilizes nests built by other animals, particularly by corvids.
• Genetic distance between long-eared owls and short-eared owls is unusually large for species within the same genus.
• The nominate subspecies shows a slight increase in size from west to east, with Chinese owls about 4% larger winged than European ones.