Short-eared Owl vs Long-eared Owl: How to Tell Them Apart

Of average size for the owls in the region; adults and juveniles are similar. Plumage is mottled brown and is darkly streaked, the breast is pale but is also darkly streaked, the face is pale with circular discs, there are two short 'ear tufts', and the eyes are vivid yellow surrounded by black markings. The wings are long and they're pale from beneath with black tips, while from above they are brownish with a white trailing edge.

Prefers expansive countryside and may be found on moorland, coastal marshes, rough grassland and dunes.

A relatively quiet bird, though has a raspy barking sound and a low-pitched hoot when in display.

Can appear quite slender and has tufts which look like ears, though they're not. The face changes shape, thickening and thinning. Adults and juveniles are similar, with dark buffish-brown plumage, paler underparts, and vivid streaking all over. The feathers sit in a flat circular manner around the face and the eyes are bright orange. When in the air, the wings have a more consistent pattern than the Short-eared Owl, the flight feathers are brownish orange at the base, and the ear tufts are flattened.

Prefers to live in woods and forests, and breeding takes place on the edge of woodlands, in copses and thickets near countryside. More likely to be nearer to the coast in winter.

Has a low-pitched, soft 'hoo-hoo', usually heard in spring.