Identification

Visual: Medium-sized, tawny colored owl with bold black streaks on breast, round facial disk, and tiny, barely visible "ear tufts." Courses low over the ground, like a northern harrier, skimming over wetlands and grasslands, often during the day. Long, tapered wings have a distinctive black comma underneath at the wrists.

Vocal: Territorial calls include a raspy, high bark and a series of low-pitched boo notes reminiscent of a distant steam engine.

Nesting habitat

Open country, particularly wetlands and grasslands. They nest and roost on the ground amid concealing vegetation. However, in winter they occasionally flock to tree roosts.

Nesting Dates

Courtship: probably February to April Incubation: probably April to June Dependent nestlings: probably May to July

Incubation of as many as 13 eggs (5-7 average) requires about 24-29 days. The young walk away from the nest 14-18 days after hatching, but they require a week or two more to achieve stable flight.

Colorado Distribution and Population

Known to nest only in a dozen or so scattered locations on the eastern plains and in mountain parks and valleys, including the South Platte River basin, Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges in the San Luis Valley, and Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge in North Park. They occasionally winter in wetlands in the Front Range urban corridor, but nesting has not been confirmed in these areas. Loss of habitat due to agriculture and urbanization may have caused a decline in statewide nesting populations.

Federal and State Status

Not listed. Colorado Natural Heritage Program fully tracked.

Nest Search and Monitoring Protocol

Beginning in April, observe potential nesting habitat for 1-2 hours from a fixed observation point around dawn or dusk. Repeat observations every 1-2 weeks. Do not search for nests. If you keep a low profile and stay at least 500 m away from nest sites, males will eventually deliver food to incubating females. Male performs hovering courtship flight, sometimes clapping his wings or vocalizing while hanging in the wind.

Recommended Nest Buffer Area

No foot traffic or recreational activity within 400 m of suspected nest sites. Permanent trails should be located at least 400 m from recent nest or roost sites.

References

Johnsgard, P. A. 1988. Owls of North America. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.

Kingery, H. E., ed. 1998. Colorado breeding bird atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver.

Holt, D.W., and S. M. Leasure. 1993. Short-eared Owl. In The birds of North America, no. 62. American Ornithologists Union, Washington, D.C.

Vroos, K. 1988. Owls of the Northern Hemisphere. MIT Press, Cambridge.

Walker, L. W. 1974. The book of owls. Alfred Knopf, New York.

Wickersham, L.E. 2016. The Second Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Denver.