Long-eared Owls are nimble flyers, with hearing so acute they can snatch prey in complete darkness. In spring and summer, listen for their low, breathy hoots and strange barking calls in the night. Long-eared Owls are secretive, nocturnal, and superbly camouflaged.

The long-eared owl (Asio otus), also known as the northern long-eared owl [3] or, more informally, as the lesser horned owl or cat owl, [4] is a medium-sized species of owl with an extensive breeding range.

These birds course silently over grasslands on broad, rounded wings, especially at dawn and dusk. They use acute hearing to hunt small mammals and birds. Unless you live in the northern U.S. or Canada, you'll want to look for Short-eared Owls during winter.

The elusive Long-eared Owl, also known as the Lesser Horned Owl or Cat Owl, superficially resembles the Great Horned Owl but is much smaller and slimmer — in fact, it's North America's most slender owl. Distinguishing characteristics include long, close-set ear tufts (held flat to the head while in flight), an orange face punctuated by ...

This medium-sized owl is widespread but not particularly well known in North America. It seems to call less often or less conspicuously than many of our other owls, so it may be overlooked in some areas where it nests.

In Pennsylvania, the long-eared owl is listed as threatened and protected under the Game and Wildlife Code. It is a "High Level Concern" species in the State Wildlife Action Plan. All migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The so called “ears” that the Long-Eared Owl is named for are really just tufts of feathers atop its head. Researchers believe that these tufts may help them blend into their surroundings. There are several species of owls that share this feature, including the more common Great-Horned Owl.

The long-eared owl is a slim owl, crow-sized, yellow-eyed, long-winged, without a white throat. Upperparts are gray-brown, underparts are heavily streaked and barred with dark brown. Facial disks are rusty, and the ear tufts are long and closely spaced.

Medium-sized, rather slender owl with long "ear" tufts. Extensive range across Northern Hemisphere. North American birds are rather dark and coarsely marked, with pumpkin-colored face patches and yellow eyes.

Long-eared Owls are lanky owls that often seem to wear a surprised expression thanks to long ear tufts that typically point straight up like exclamation marks. These nocturnal hunters roost in dense foliage, where their camouflage makes them hard to find, and forage over grasslands for small mammals.