Asio flammeus - Short-eared Owl
Feather characters. Barbules are extremely long (2.1-3.4 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Occasionally some pigment is found in parts of internodes. Both vase-shaped and slightly thickened nodes are present. Nodes are unequally distributed along the entire length of barbules (10-12 per mm). Proximal nodes are vase-shaped, they abruptly decrease in size into slightly thickened nodes distally. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Short prongs are mostly located on distal end of the barbules, on both sides of the pennulum. Their length varies; the longest ones are longer than 0.01 mm, but shorter than half the length of the adjacent internode.
Field characters. Size 38 cm. Weight: male 315 g (206-368), female 378 g (284-475) (Dunning, 1993). Slightly larger than Long-eared Owl and often difficult to distinguish. Generally lighter, more yellowish-white below with more clear cut dark tips on underwings and a white trailing edge to wings (not obvious in pale individuals). Upperwings yellow with black rather than brown. Eyes yellow, not orange, surrounded by dark patches contrasting with pale remainder of face. Ear-tufts very short and hardly visible. Flight buoyant, with stiff wing beats interspersed with long glides on V-raised wings. More diurnal than other owls, but often also seen hunting at twilight. Perches on the ground. Solitary outside breeding season, but sometimes in small groups. Breeds on the ground.
Voice. In flight a barking 'whaw'; during display flight a soft low 'poo poo poo', performed together with wing-clapping.
Distribution. Widespread but never numerous. Summer visitor in north of region. Numbers fluctuate with vole populations. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Found in open country with plenty of cover in form of tall grasses or low bushes, like moorland, tundra, marshes, and dunes.
Food. Predominantly voles, but also other small mammals and birds and occasionally insects.