Getting to Know Short-eared Owls

By Pat Morse, Assistant Chief of Interpretation

The short-eared owl is a hunter of open ground and lives primarily in Canada during the summer breeding season. There are a few nesting pairs in Ohio, but our state generally lacks the open tundras, savannas and marshes that they prefer. In Ohio, we primarily see these birds during the winter when they move south looking for food. Locally, check out open fields and airports near dusk and dawn. The “ears” referred to in the name are actually short tufts of feathers on top of the owl’s head that can be laid flat or stood upright as the owl chooses. They often perch directly on the ground. Their flight with stiff wings reminds one of a large moth. These birds primarily eat small mammals, like mice, voles and weasels, but they also will eat gulls, shorebirds and songbirds and occasionally supplement their diet with large insects like grasshoppers and beetles. They often decapitate small mammals before swallowing them whole and remove the wings of birds before eating them. Female short-eared owls build their own nests on the ground out of soft grasses and downy feathers, in a high and dry area that has enough vegetation to conceal them as they sit.

Savanna with her "ears" up

Lake Metroparks' Animal Ambassador: Savanna

As an adult, Savanna sustained a compound fracture to her right wing. She also has damaged feather follicles and cannot fly. Savanna has been an Animal Ambassador since 2009, helping the staff teach the public about short-eared owls. Since Savanna’s home territory is open ground, she always keeps her eyes on the sky, watching for predators. She often sees a hawk or vulture long before people notice it. 

Savanna

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Lake Metroparks Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native Ohio wildlife species. These residents are under the permanent care of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibit independent survival. Animal Ambassadors allow us to educate the public about conservation.

We invite you to support our mission of nature education, conservation and stewardship through "adopting" one of our Animal Ambassadors. Click here for more information.