Watercolor portrait of Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus
Cosmopolitan Open landscapes such as grasslands, prai… Uncommon to locally common Breeding hoot series

Learn to identify the Short-eared Owl by ear. Master the "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…”

What the Short-eared Owl sounds like

The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized, ground-nesting owl with surprisingly long, floppy wings and only tiny, often invisible ear tufts. Active mainly at dawn and dusk, it hunts on buoyant, moth-like wingbeats over open country, relying on keen hearing and vision to detect small mammals.

“hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A low, evenly spaced sequence of 10–15 hollow hoots, delivered from the air or a low perch during the breeding display. Often written as “hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…”.
Don't confuse with:The Long-eared Owl — longer, obvious ear tufts held erect

Where you'll hear it

Open landscapes such as grasslands, prairies, marshes, tundra, heaths and young shrub-steppe; avoids dense forests.

Breeds mainly April–August. Northern breeders migrate south or to lower elevations August–November and return March–May. Wintering birds roam widely where prey is abundant.

Similar species

Long-eared Owl

Longer, obvious ear tufts held erect

Northern Harrier

Slimmer raptor shape with distinct white rump patch

Barn Owl

Heart-shaped white facial disk

Short-eared Owl song FAQ

What does a Short-eared Owl sound like?
A low, evenly spaced sequence of 10–15 hollow hoots, delivered from the air or a low perch during the breeding display. Listen for the "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo…" phrase.
How do I tell a Short-eared Owl from a Long-eared Owl by sound?
Long-eared Owl: Longer, obvious ear tufts held erect; Barred, not solidly dark, underwing wrist patch; Prefers woodland edges rather than open grassland.
When is the best time to hear a Short-eared Owl?
Breeds mainly April–August. Northern breeders migrate south or to lower elevations August–November and return March–May. Wintering birds roam widely where prey is abundant.