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Long-eared Owl

Introduction

The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is one of North America's most elusive owls. With its tall ear tufts, orange eyes, and cryptic plumage, it’s a master of camouflage—often hiding in plain sight. Despite being found across much of the U.S., it can be tricky to spot, making any sighting a special moment for birders.

Let’s explore the life of this slender, night-loving owl of the forest edge.

Where Do Long-eared Owls Live?

The Long-eared Owl prefers dense forests near open fields, which provide good cover for roosting and wide space for hunting.

Preferred habitats:

Coniferous or mixed woodlands
Riparian thickets
Shrubby grasslands
Forest edges near meadows or farmlands

They’re especially fond of dense evergreen trees for daytime roosting and are known to use abandoned nests of hawks, crows, or magpies for breeding.

Size and Appearance

Despite the name, the “ears” of the Long-eared Owl are tufts of feathers, not actual ears.

Length: 13–16 inches
Wingspan: 35–40 inches
Weight: 7–15 ounces

Key features:

Tall, close-set ear tufts that stand upright when alert
Orange facial disks with bold black outlines
Streaked brown and buff chest
Slender body with long wings for silent flight

Their coloring allows them to blend into tree bark perfectly.

What Do Long-eared Owls Eat?

This owl is a nocturnal hunter, relying on sharp hearing and vision to locate prey in total darkness.

Main diet:

Voles (a favorite prey)
Mice and other rodents
Shrews
Small birds (especially in winter)
Occasionally bats or insects

They swallow small prey whole and later regurgitate pellets of bones and fur.

Nesting and Breeding

Rather than building their own nests, Long-eared Owls take over old stick nests built by crows, hawks, or squirrels.

Nesting facts:

Female lays 4 to 6 eggs, sometimes up to 10
Incubation: 25–30 days
Chicks leave the nest after 3 weeks, but remain nearby while learning to hunt

During breeding season, males perform aerial courtship displays, including clapping their wings mid-flight.

Where to Spot Long-eared Owls in the U.S.

Long-eared Owls are found year-round in much of the U.S., especially in the West, Midwest, and Northeast. Their shy behavior makes them hard to find unless you know where to look.

Best viewing tips:

Check dense conifer groves near open hunting areas
Look for roosting groups in winter (called “communal roosts”)
Listen for their deep, hoo-hoo-hoo call at night during early spring

Top locations:

Northern California forests
Great Plains shelterbelts
New York pine groves
Midwestern and Western woodlands

What Does a Long-eared Owl Sound Like?

The male's call is a low, repeated hoot—"hoo... hoo... hoo"—often spaced a few seconds apart. It can travel up to half a mile in quiet woodlands.

Also makes:

Screeches (especially by young)
Barking calls when alarmed
Hisses when threatened

Fun Facts About the Long-eared Owl

True masters of camouflage: Can stretch their body and tighten feathers to mimic a tree branch
Incredible hearing: Asymmetrical ear placement allows pinpoint accuracy in the dark
Use other birds’ nests: Don’t build their own
Winter roosters: May gather in small flocks to roost together for warmth
Migratory flexibility: Some populations migrate, while others stay year-round

Conclusion

The Long-eared Owl may be a mystery to many, but it's a true gem of the forest. Silent, striking, and secretive, this owl continues to enchant those lucky enough to find it. If you walk through a quiet evergreen grove on a winter afternoon, keep your eyes peeled—one of North America’s most cryptic raptors might just be watching you from above.

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