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Short-eared Owl

Status Uncommon in summer, rare in winter. Breeds. A few sightings between 13 March and 17 April in areas where it had not wintered represent spring arrivals; birds on Sable Island on 25 May 1966 and 20 May 1977 were also probably northward bound. Virtually all nesting-season reports are from Grand Pre, Kings County, and the New Brunswick border region. An early migrant was on Sable Island on 3 August 1964. This species is most often seen in autumn and especially during Christmas Bird Counts, in all parts of the province. Small numbers have been seen in winter, mostly in the southwestern counties.

Description Length: 35-42 cm. Adults: Entire body streaked with various soft shades of light and dark browns; darker on upperparts; stripes broader and more sharply defined on breast, finer on belly and flanks; tail barred; back and wings mottled; wing linings brownish white with black patch near base of primaries; ear tufts inconspicuous; eyes yellow.

Breeding Nest: On the ground, composed of coarse grass and weed stems, with lining of fine grass and owl feathers matted together. Sometimes the nest is concealed by low-growing bushes, but it is always in open country. An open hayfield is often chosen as a nest site, with little if any attempt at concealment. Eggs: 4-8; white and slightly rounded ovate. Laying starts about the middle of May. A nest found on the meadows below Wolfville on 17 June 1924 contained four slightly incubated eggs. The fact they were partly incubated indicates a complete set, and the small number suggests a second nesting attempt. Another nest located on the Grand Pre meadows, Kings County, held three eggs and five newly hatched young on 23 June 1935.

Range Breeds from Alaska, Baffin Island and Greenland south to New Jersey, Kansas and southern California: also in South America and the Old World. In North America, winters from southern Canada southward.

Remarks This bird is an excellent mouser. According to the times of day when their normal hunting activity reaches its peak, owls are classified as being nocturnal (night hunters), diurnal (day hunters) or crepuscular (twilight hunters). This owl has crepuscular feeding habits. No owl can see in utter darkness, but they can see much better than humans can when light conditions are minimal.

At dusk on 1 December 1934 on the Grand Pre meadows, I observed one whose behaviour was most unusual. I first noticed it circling me at a range far too close for its own safety. Its manner suggested anxiety or curiosity, I couldn't tell which. After a few moments it retired to a nearby mound of earth from which it began to call intermittently with a strange, raspy, cat-like meow.