Asio otus
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Featured photolong-eared-owl.jpgAsio otus, the long-eared owl, is a medium-sized owl distributed across the Holarctic. Adults are 31 to 40 cm long with a wingspan of 86 to 102 cm and weigh 220 to 435 g. The plumage is mottled brown overall with prominent ear-tufts, bright orange eyes, and a buff facial disc. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern. Long-eared owls are strictly nocturnal and famously difficult to observe, with daytime roosts deep in dense conifer cover.
Quick facts
- Habitat
- Mixed and coniferous forest with adjacent open hunting habitat — pasture edges, agricultural margins, and grasslands. The species depends on dense conifer cover for daytime roosting and on open habitat for hunting.
- Range
- Across most of the Holarctic — Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and across temperate Asia, plus most of forested North America from southern Canada south through the contiguous United States.
- Size
- 31–40 cm body · 86–102 cm wingspan · 220–435 g
- Plumage
- Adults show heavily mottled brown-and-buff plumage matching tree bark, prominent ear-tufts (long elongated head feathers — not actual ears), bright orange-yellow eyes (one of the most distinctive eye colours among owls), a buff facial disc edged with darker feathers, and slim body proportions overall. Both sexes look alike. The ear-tufts are held flat against the head when the bird is at rest, raised in alarm or display.
- Song
- Males give a soft, slow 'hoo' delivered every 2-4 seconds from a high perch during the breeding season — much quieter than most other large owls and easily missed at distance. Other vocalizations include hisses, barks, and various squawks at the nest.
- Migration
- Partial migrant. Northern populations move south for winter; central and southern populations are largely resident.
- Conservation
- Least Concern (LC)
Overview
Asio otus is one of about ten Asio owls worldwide. The species' English name 'long-eared owl' references the prominent ear-tufts; the Latin epithet 'otus' is a Greek-derived word for 'eared owl'. Both names are misleading — the 'ears' are actually elongated head feathers (not ears) and the species' actual external ear openings are hidden behind the facial disc, like all other owls.
Communal winter roosts
Long-eared owls form communal winter roosts in dense conifer cover — often dozens of birds packed together in a small grove. Some traditional roosts hold the same number of birds across decades and are documented at the same locations year after year. The communal roosting behaviour is unusual among owls (most species are solitary year-round) and likely reflects a combination of rare cover availability and reduced predation in groups. Roost sites are major birder attractions in winter.
Behaviour
Long-eared owls are strictly nocturnal and famously difficult to observe. Daytime roosts are deep within dense conifer foliage close to the trunk, where the bird's mottled plumage matches the bark and shadows perfectly. The species is rarely seen during the day even at occupied roost sites. Nocturnal hunting flights over adjacent open habitat — pasture, fallow fields, hedgerow margins — are typical low-coursing patterns similar to short-eared owls, the species' close relative.
Sources & further reading (2)
- iucn-red-list — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
Are the 'ears' actually ears?
No. The prominent ear-tufts of long-eared owls (and several other owl species) are elongated head feathers, anatomically unrelated to ears or hearing. The actual external ear openings are on the sides of the head, hidden behind the facial disc. The function of the ear-tufts is debated; proposed roles include camouflage (breaking the bird's silhouette against branches) and intra-species signalling.
Why do long-eared owls roost in groups?
Long-eared owls form communal winter roosts in dense conifer cover — sometimes dozens of birds packed together in a small grove. The behaviour is unusual among owls and likely reflects a combination of rare cover availability (dense conifer roost sites are limited) and reduced predation pressure in groups. Some traditional roosts hold the same number of birds across decades and are documented at the same locations year after year.
How do long-eared and short-eared owls differ?
Long-eared owls (Asio otus) are strictly nocturnal forest-edge owls with prominent ear-tufts, daytime roosts in dense conifers, and slim body proportions. Short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are largely diurnal grassland owls with much shorter ear-tufts (usually held flat and not visible), open-country day-and-night hunting, and bulkier proportions. Both species are in the same genus and occupy overlapping winter ranges.
