Long-eared Owl

Long-eared Owl

Asio otus
ES: Búho chico

Description

L: 31-37cm; W: 86-98 cm;

Nocturnal raptor with striking facial design. It has a gray-brown to reddish-brown back, speckled with brown; ocher underparts; reddish-brown flight feathers; tail rufous with brown barring; head with complete facial disks and very long “ears”; bill black; orange eyes. There is a difference between the sexes. Male has a belly and legs with traces of white; facial disc creamy buff, sometimes with grey; base of inner margin of secondaries whitish; larger alula feather with light brown-white outer margin and a maximum of three transverse bars. Female with deep golden-buff belly and tails; facial disc dark, buff or reddish-buff; base of inner margin of secondaries buff; Greater alula feather with dark brown outer margin and usually with four transverse bars. Juveniles have a very dark face.