AI overview
The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl found across much of the world that hunts during the day and night, primarily catching small rodents and other prey in open grasslands and wetlands. It matters because it serves as an important predator that helps control rodent populations and is considered a valuable indicator of the health of grassland ecosystems.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
short-eared owl
Species
- PhylumChordata
- ClassAves
- OrderStrigiformes
- FamilyStrigidae
Observations17,016
via
Article
In flight In Texel, North Holland, Netherlands
The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a widespread grassland species in the family Strigidae. Owls belonging to genus Asio are known as the eared owls, as they have tufts of feathers resembling mammalian ears. These "ear" tufts may or may not be visible. The short-eared owl will display its tufts when in a defensive pose, although its very short tufts are usually not visible. The short-eared owl is found in open country and grasslands.