Long-eared Owl 324619 222462478 2008-06-29T13:38:08Z Pavlen666 6727675 {{Taxobox | name = Long-eared Owl | status = LC | image = Long-eared_owl.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[owl|Strigiformes]] | familia = [[typical owl|Strigidae]] | genus = ''[[Asio]]'' | species = '''''A. otus''''' | binomial = ''Asio otus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]]) | synonyms = ''Asio wilsonianus'' }} The '''Long-eared Owl''' (''Asio otus'') is a species of [[owl]] which breeds in [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[North America]]. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as [[typical owl]]s, family [[Strigidae]], which contains most species of owl. The other grouping of owls are the [[barn owl]]s, family [[Tytonidae]]. ==Appearance== The Long-eared Owl is a medium sized owl, 31-37 cm in length with an 86-98 cm wingspan. It has erect blackish ear-tufts, which are positioned in the center of the head. The female is larger in size and darker in colouration than the male. The Long-eared Owl’s brownish feathers are vertically streaked. [[Tarsus (skeleton)|Tarsus]] and toes are entirely feathered. Eye disks are also characteristic in this species. However, the eye disks of ''A. otus'' are darker in color or rusty-orange. This [[nocturnal]] species is perhaps most easily seen perched in a tree in its daytime roost. ==Behaviour== The Long-eared Owl's breeding season is from February to July. This [[bird]] is partially [[bird migration|migratory]], moving south in winter from the northern parts of its temperate range. Its habitat is forest close to open country. It nests in trees, often [[coniferous]], using the old stick nests of other [[bird]]s such as [[crow]]s, [[raven]]s and [[magpie]]s and various [[hawk]]s. The average clutch size is 4-6 eggs, and the incubation time averages from 25-30 days. It will readily use artificial nesting baskets. An unusual characteristic of this species is its communal nesting in thickets during the winter months. The Long-eared Owl hunts over open country by night. It is very long winged, like the similar [[Short-eared Owl]], and glides slowly on stiff wings when hunting. Its food is mainly [[rodents]], small [[mammal]]s, and [[bird]]s. ==References== * {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=48605|title=Asio otus|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern ==External links== *[http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Long-eared_Owl.html Long-eared Owl Species Account] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter *[http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3660id.html Long-eared Owl - <i>Asio otus</i>] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter *[http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species/long_eared_owl_info.htm Long-eared Owl Information and Photos] - South Dakota Birds and Birding *[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Asio_otus.html Information Link with Pictures] *[http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Asio&species=otus Pictures and Listen to Audio] *[http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/owl-pictures.html Close up Picture of Long-earred Owl face] *[http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=2743 ''Asio otus'' videos] on the Internet Bird Collection *[http://www.bird-stamps.org/cspecies/7818400.htm "Northern Long-eared Owl" Stamps] - (16 issues) with Circum-Polar Map *[http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=long-eared+owl&showwhat=images&AGE=All&SEX=All&ACT=All&Search=Search&VIEW=All&ORIENTATION=All&RESULTS=24 Long-eared Owl photo gallery] - VIREO *[http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/271_LongearedOwlAotus.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta] {{Link FA|de}} [[Category:Asio]] [[Category:Birds of Pakistan]] [[Category:Birds of prey]] [[Category:Birds of North America|Owl, Long-eared]] [[Category:Birds of Europe|Owl, Long-eared]] [[Category:Circumpolar species|Owl, Long-eared]] [[Category:North American migratory birds|Owl, Long-eared]] [[bg:Горска ушата сова]] [[ca:Mussol banyut]] [[cs:Kalous ušatý]] [[cy:Tylluan Gorniog]] [[da:Skovhornugle]] [[de:Waldohreule]] [[et:Kõrvukräts]] [[es:Asio otus]] [[eo:Orelstrigo]] [[fr:Hibou moyen-duc]] [[fy:Hoarnûle]] [[gl:Bufo pequeno]] [[it:Asio otus]] [[he:ינשוף עצים]] [[ka:ოლოლი]] [[ku:Kundê gora]] [[lt:Mažasis apuokas]] [[hu:Erdei fülesbagoly]] [[ms:Burung Hantu Telinga Panjang]] [[nl:Ransuil]] [[nds-nl:Katoele]] [[ja:トラフズク]] [[no:Hornugle]] [[pl:Sowa uszata]] [[pt:Coruja-pequena]] [[ru:Ушастая сова]] [[se:Bealljeloađgu]] [[sk:Myšiarka ušatá]] [[sl:Mala uharica]] [[sr:Мала ушара]] [[fi:Sarvipöllö]] [[sv:Hornuggla]] [[tr:Kulaklı orman baykuşu]] [[uk:Сова вухата]] [[zh:长耳鸮]]