Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Long-eared owls are slender, crow-sized owls. They have long ear tufts on the head which are often visible when the owl perches. The ear tufts are not actual ears, but rather clusters of feathers that help in camouflaging the bird. The true ears are located on either side of the head next to the round rusty-orange facial disk.
To camouflage, long-eared owls will “suck in,” use their wings to cover the patterning on their flanks and erect their ear tufts. They are extremely secretive, nocturnal and yes, well camouflaged!
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Long-eared owls are slender, crow-sized owls. They have long ear tufts on the head which are often visible when the owl perches. The ear tufts are not actual ears, but rather clusters of feathers that help in camouflaging the bird. The true ears are located on either side of the head next to the round rusty-orange facial disk.
To camouflage, long-eared owls will “suck in,” use their wings to cover the patterning on their flanks and erect their ear tufts. They are extremely secretive, nocturnal and yes, well camouflaged!