Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a common owl found in 76 countries, weighing about 297 g. The long-eared owl, also known as the northern long-eared owl or, more informally, as the lesser horned owl or cat owl, is a medium-sized species of owl with an extensive breeding range.
About the Long-eared Owl
The long-eared owl, also known as the northern long-eared owl or, more informally, as the lesser horned owl or cat owl, is a medium-sized species of owl with an extensive breeding range. The genus name, Asio, is Latin for "horned owl", and the specific epithet, otus, is derived from Greek and refers to a small eared owl. The species breeds in many areas through Europe and the Palearctic, as well as in North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, of the family Strigidae, which contains most extant species of owl.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This species is a slim and long winged owl with erectile ear tufts, which are positioned closer to the center of the head than in many other types of owl. The purposes of ear tufts are not definitively known and are present in about half of living owls. A theory amongst biologists and ornithologists is that ear tufts could be a means of intraspecies communication of intent and mood. In general coloration, the long-eared owl is a hue of ochraceous-tawny with a grayish or brownish wash variably manifesting.
What the Long-eared Owl sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Guernsey, Georgia, Oman, Saudi Arabia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in June. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Watch the Long-eared Owl on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Long-eared Owl?
- This species is a slim and long winged owl with erectile ear tufts, which are positioned closer to the center of the head than in many other types of owl. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Long-eared Owl?
- The Long-eared Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 297 g.
- Where can you see a Long-eared Owl?
- The Long-eared Owl occurs in 76 countries, including Sweden, France, Finland, Belgium and Canada.
- What does a Long-eared Owl sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Long-eared Owl on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Long-eared Owl?
- The Long-eared Owl is most easily confused with the Short-eared Owl, the Stygian Owl and the Marsh Owl.
- Is the Long-eared Owl endangered?
- The Long-eared Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Long-eared Owl for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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