Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

County List:

Rule:

Nonforested Landscapes

      Fields/Pastures 
   adjacent to:
      (Marsh 2 or Sedge Meadow)

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: This owl is associated with large open areas, frequenting marshes, grasslands, pastures, and occasionally peatlands. The rudimentary nest is generally placed in a clump of herbaceous vegetation or at the base of a low shrub.

Only in Rudyard Flats area (Chippewa Co.) in the eastern Upper Peninsula were owls observed in successive years. This region is unique in Michigan; it is comprised of over 160 sq km of grasslands, wet meadows, and agricultural fields. The distinguishing feature of this region is the low-intensity land use patterns of pastures and farmlands. It is one of the largest areas in Michigan which still resembles turn-of-the-century, ecologically sound farming methods.

One potentially important feature for regional success of Short-eared Owls is availability of suitable wintering habitat. In winter, congregations generally roost and hunt in open areas, such as abandoned pastures, hayfields, airports, young conifer plantations, marshes, and old fields interspersed with trees and shrubs.

In Michigan the decline of Short-eared Owls is likely attributable to the loss of large native grasslands, upland oak savannas, and marshes. Their absence from today's similar but more disturbed, open habitats may be related to habitat quality and food availability. The success of this species is dependent on high rodent concentrations. During periods of low rodent densities, only large, high-quality openings such as low-use pastures, hayfields, and natural dry or wet grasslands can maintain relatively stable owl populations.

Habitat: Breeding: Open grasslands, plains, marshes, dunes. Wintering: Same as breeding habitat generally preferring to winter in localities with little or no snow.

Special Habitat Requirements: Extensive open grasslands with abundant rodents.

The Short-ear lives in open terrain, such as prairies and marshes.

Habitat: Prairies, marshes, dunes, tundra. Found in open country that supports high numbers of small rodents. Nests most commonly on tundra, inland and coastal prairies, extensive marshes, farmland. In winter, also found in stubble fields, small meadows, coastal dunes, shrubby areas.

Diet: Mostly rodents. Feeds mainly on voles, also other rodents such as lemmings, deer mice, pocket mice. Also eats shrews, rabbits, gophers; rarely bats, muskrats. Eats birds, especially in coastal regions.

Nest: Site is on dry ground, often on a raised hummock or ridge, especially in marshy country. Usually among tall grass or under a shrub. Very rarely above ground. Nest is a depression in soil, lined with grass and feathers.