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Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

Photo credit: birdlife.cz

Length: 15 in.
Wingspan: 39 in.
Habitat: deciduous and evergreen forests
Range: From Alaska and Canada to the Gulf states and Mexico.

This is a crow-sized owl with long ear tufts close together. The color is heavily mottled brown with chestnut facial disks. The voice is soft low hoots, also whistles, whines, shrieks, and catlike meows. It is seldom heard except during breeding time.

Although these woodland owls are gregarious in winter, they are so nocturnal and quiet that during the day up to a dozen may inhabit a dense evergreen grove without being detected. They have a tendency to roost near the trunk of a tree, and since they elongate themselves by compressing their feathers, they resemble part of the trunk itself. Only by peering intently upward can one detect the round face and telltale long ear tyfts.

When protecting their young they put on a spectacular display, lowering their head and fanning their wings over their back in a threatening attitude. A good way to locate an owl roost is to search in pine woods for groups of pellets.