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LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus) STATUS Federal: None State: Species of Special Concern Other: CNDDB Special Animal DESCRIPTION The long-eared owl is a slender owl with a total length of 15 inches. The adult wing span is 3-3 1/2 feet. It has a rusty facial disk and ear tufts which are set close together. The belly and breast are boldly barred and streaked. The short- eared owl is similar in flight, but the long-eared owl has a smaller black wrist mark and a less prominent buffy patch on the wings. The long-eared owl can be confused with the much larger great horned owl, but is distinguished by the strong lengthwise streaking on its underside (National Geographic Society, 1987). Males and females are similar, except that the female is larger and has somewhat paler plumage. Immatures are similar to adults, but have black eyebrows, smaller ear tufts, and darker cinnamon-red facial disks (Heintzelman, 1984). The typical call is one or more long "h000's" and is usually heard only during the breeding season. The long-eared owl is very secretive, especially during the nonbreeding season. In areas where these owls have established year round territories, males and females maintain long term pair bonds (Ehrlich, Dobkins and Wheye, 1988). DISTRIBUTION The long-eared owl's breeding range includes Canada south throughout the United States, except along the Gulf Coast. It winters mostly from the United States south to central Mexico. Long-eared owls are year round residents in California. The long-eared owl is more common in California in the winter months,due to an influx of birds from the north. The breeding season extends from early April through September (McCaskie, DeBenedictis, Erickson, and Morlan, 1988). The long-eared owl is no longer known as a breeding bird in the Central Valley,but still nests in the mountains and foothills. Communal roosts of wintering long-eared owls are sometimes found along the coast, interior,and great basin regions of California (McCaskie, et al., 1988). HABITAT PREFERENCES The long-eared owl usually nests in coniferous or mixed-deciduous forests. The nest is located in an abandoned crow, magpie or hawk nest. Long-eared owls typically nest in a coniferous or deciduous tree at an average height of 25-35 feet (Ehrlich et al, 1988). Nests are used perennially. The long-eared owl will sometimes nest in loose colonies and this is though to be related to food supply (Ehrlich et al., 1988).