Alert Short-eared Owl Perching On A Fence Post
Short-eared owls are medium sized owls with mottled brown bodies, pale under-wings and yellow eyes. They are commonly seen hunting during the day. In winter, there is an influx of continental birds (from Scandinavia, Russia, Iceland) to northern, eastern, and parts of central southern England, especially around the coast. They are of European conservation concern and so are an Amber List species. The short-eared owl nests on the ground in meadow habitats. Nests are concealed by low vegetation, and may be lightly lined by weeds, grass, or feathers. Approximately 4 to 7 white eggs are found in a typical clutch but clutch size can reach up to a dozen eggs in years when voles are abundant. There is one brood per year. The eggs are incubated mostly by the female for 21–37 days., and offspring fledge at a little over four weeks. This owl is known to lure predators away from its nest by appearing to have a crippled wing. Hunting occurs mostly at night, but this owl is known to be diurnal and crepuscular as well. Its daylight hunting seems to coincide with the high-activity periods of voles its preferred prey. It tends to fly only feet above the ground in open fields and grasslands until swooping down upon its prey feet-first. Several owls may hunt over the same open area. Its food consists mainly of rodents especially voles, but it will eat other small mammals such as mice, ground squirrels, shrews, rats, bats and moles. It will also occasionally predate smaller birds, especially when near sea-coasts and adjacent wetlands at which time they attack shorebirds, terns, small gulls and seabirds with semi-regularity. Avian prey is more infrequently preyed on inland and centers on passerines such as larks starlings and pipits. Insects supplement their diet, and short-eared owls may prey on roaches, caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers.
Size: 3455px × 4320px
Location: Surrey, England
Photo credit: © John Porter LRPS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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