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The long-eared owl
The long-eared owl
- THAT'S ME
- FACTS
- OBSERVATIONS
- MULTIMEDIA
- ST. MARTINS
- QUIZ
Dear explorer, dear explorers,
We have probably met before. Perhaps you have heard my voice, noticed me flying as a dark shadow or found one of my feathers. To help you find out a little more about me, we have put together some interesting and surprising facts about me.
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is the long-eared owl. I hope you enjoy reading this.
Header image: Martin Weixelbraun
Picture credits: Martin Weixelbraun
Facts
- Size: 30 - 36 cm
- Wingspan: up to 100 cm
- Weight: up to 220 - 370 g
- Females are always a little larger and heavier than males.
- Nest: Owls do not build nests and very often use the nests of magpies and crows that are no longer in use.
- Eggs: usually 3 - 5, in mice-rich years up to 8 eggs
- Incubation period: 27 - 28 days per egg, young birds are therefore of different ages.
- From 16 - 20 days, the young leave the nest still unable to fly and spend the time on branches near the nest. They are then called "branchlings". After 33 - 35 days, the young birds can fly, and from around 60 days they become independent of their parents.
Appearance
Picture credits: © Martin Weixelbraun
The plumage is yellow-brown and darkly spotted on the upper side, with a bark-like pattern and white shoulder patches. The belly and breast are slightly lighter and have dark longitudinal stripes. Very distinctive "feather ears" on the head. However, these are not used for hearing, but for the owls' facial expressions. The eyes are orange-colored and large. The feet are feathered up to the toes and have sharp claws.
Food and hunting
Long-eared owls are inhabitants of semi-open landscapes and the transition area from forest to cultivated land. They mainly prey on field mice (up to 90% of their total diet) and require 5 - 6 mice per day. Other prey includes small birds, insects, earthworms and, rarely, amphibians and reptiles. Owls cannot digest the hair and bones of their prey, but regurgitate these remains several times a day as spit balls, so-called pellets. Long-eared owls are considered to be crepuscular and nocturnal and are perfect mice hunters thanks to their good hearing and ability to fly silently.
Reproduction
Picture credits: Martin Weixelbraun
Males occupy potential breeding sites and neighboring hunting grounds early in the year. The females are attracted by evening calls and the males perform imposing flights over the territory. If the courtship is successful, the pairs spend a breeding season together.
Observe
Picture credits: Martin Weixelbraun
Long-eared owls are partial migrants. Many birds hibernate locally, others migrate south or come to Central Europe from the north, depending on the climate. Long-eared owls form hibernation sites where in some places dozens of owls can spend the day together. Trees in sheltered locations such as cemeteries or parks are popular, where they spend the day resting together and set off to hunt at dusk. In some of these locations, the owls can be observed behaving considerately during the winter months. The northern Serbian town of Kikinda is well known among owl lovers, where up to 400 owls have been observed in its parks.
Interactive content
A video with special content about the long-eared owl
Around St. Martins
Picture credits: © Martin Weixelbraun
As the Seewinkel region is an important habitat for many species of birds of prey in winter, including owls, we have been running safaris on this topic during the winter months for years and the long-eared owls have already won many fans as a result.
