Long-eared Owl: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Owls and Night Birds · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Disturbed at its roost, it freezes: body stiff and upright, eyes narrowed to slits, ear tufts raised. This is the tall-thin pose.
2. Unlike most owls, they share winter roosts. Groups of 6 to 50 are common, and one roost in Europe held about 150.
3. Its ear openings sit at different heights, the left one higher than the right, so it can catch sounds from above and below.
4. It is a very chatty owl. In Michigan, researchers recorded 23 different calls, from deep hoots to cat-like notes.
5. It does not build its own nest. Instead it moves into old nests made by other animals, often crows and their relatives.

The quiz

1. What does a long-eared owl do when someone comes near its roost?

• Hangs upside down
• Spreads its wings wide and screams
• Freezes tall and thin (correct)
• Hides its head under a wing

It stands stiffly upright with eyes narrowed and ear tufts raised.

2. About how many owls were counted at the record winter roost in Europe?

• 2
• About 150 (correct)
• About 15
• About 1,500

The European record is about 150 owls at one roost.

3. Why are its ear openings at different heights?

• To hear sounds from above and below (correct)
• To keep rain out
• To hold its ear tufts up
• To help it fly straight

With the left ear higher, it can pick up sound from above and below.

4. How many different calls were recorded from long-eared owls in Michigan?

• 1
• 3
• 200
• 23 (correct)

Owls there were recorded making 23 different calls.

5. Where does the long-eared owl usually nest?

• In a burrow it digs itself
• In old nests of crows and their relatives (correct)
• Floating on a lake
• On bare sand dunes

It uses nests built by other animals, especially the crow family.

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