Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763)

Strigidae — Owls

Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus, breeds across the world except Australia and is found in open country and grasslands. It is an owl in the family Strigidae, first described by Pontoppidan in 1763. Its most useful field mark is the very small feather tufts that give the genus its name, though these are often hard to see and are shown most clearly when the bird takes a defensive stance. It has a short, strong, hooked black bill and a flight that is marked by irregular wingbeats.

Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae — Owls
Breeding range
Worldwide : widespread except AU
Short-eared Owl
© Yajuvendraupadhyaya · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

16 tours in Peru 3, United Kingdom 2, France 2, Norway 2, United States 2, Canada 2, Argentina 1, USA 1, Spain 1

Seven-Day Corncrake, Skua and Phalarope Birding Tour in the Outer Hebrides
Seven-Day Corncrake, Skua and Phalarope Birding Tour in the Outer Hebrides
United Kingdom / North Uist Group tour 7 days

Spend seven spring days birding the Uists for Corn Crake, skuas, migrating waders, island raptors and divers, with six nights and evening me...

From GBP 1,450 Next: May 9, 2027
Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
United Kingdom / Benbecula Private tour 7 days

Explore North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist in spring for machair waders, Corncrake, raptors and island lochs, including a North Uist boat ...

From GBP 1,795 Next: May 8, 2027
Two-Day Sacred Valley Wetlands and Aquatic Birding
Two-Day Sacred Valley Wetlands and Aquatic Birding
Peru / Ollantaytambo Group tour 2 days

A two-day wetlands program around Huaypo, Chacan and Anta, combining waterbird and owl searches with access to the Birds Hotel Molino hydroh...

Six-Day Andean Endemics and Cloud Forest Birding with Birds Hotel Molino
Six-Day Andean Endemics and Cloud Forest Birding with Birds Hotel Molino
Peru / Ollantaytambo Group tour 6 days

A six-day route linking Sacred Valley hummingbird gardens, cloud forest, Abra Malaga highlands and Huaypo wetlands, with Birds Hotel Molino ...

Private Bird Photography in Marais Breton Vendéen
Private Bird Photography in Marais Breton Vendéen
France / Bouin Private tour 1 day

Private half-day or full-day bird photography and observation on a 14-hectare Marais Breton site with nine ponds, wet meadows and several hi...

From EUR 120
Private Owl Photography by Car in Vesterålen
Private Owl Photography by Car in Vesterålen
Norway / Sortland Private tour

A private three-to-five-hour search for Vesterålen’s owls by car, with patient roadside observation and local guidance for groups of one ...

From NOK 7,500
Private Bird Photography Tour in Vesterålen
Private Bird Photography Tour in Vesterålen
Norway / Sortland Private tour

A private bird photography outing shaped around the season and your target species, using local hides, feeding sites, vehicle access and sel...

3-Day Southern Buenos Aires Winter Birding Tour
3-Day Southern Buenos Aires Winter Birding Tour
Argentina / Buenos Aires Private tour 3 days

A three-day winter birding journey from Buenos Aires through Lobería, Necochea, Reta Lagoon and Tres Arroyos for Patagonian geese, shorebir...

From USD 630
Private 4-Night Bluethroat and Marsh Bird Photography Tour
Private 4-Night Bluethroat and Marsh Bird Photography Tour
France / Le Croisic Private tour 5 days

Photograph Bluethroats and wetland birds across the Guérande salt marshes and Grande Brière during a private April program for one or two ...

From EUR 800
Big Island Private Birding: Hawaiian Forest Birds
Big Island Private Birding: Hawaiian Forest Birds
USA / Kailua-Kona Private tour 1 day

Explore Hawaii’s upland forests on a private nine-hour birding day, with a naturalist guide, lodging pickup, binoculars and picnic lunch. ...

Eight-Day Sacred Valley and Cloud Forest Birding with Birds Hotel Molino
Eight-Day Sacred Valley and Cloud Forest Birding with Birds Hotel Molino
Peru / Ollantaytambo Group tour 8 days

An eight-day journey from Sacred Valley hummingbird gardens to cloud forest, Abra Málaga, Patacancha and Huaypo wetlands, with Birds Hotel ...

Owls’ Challenge Private Birding Day
Owls’ Challenge Private Birding Day
Spain / Seville Private tour 9h

A private winter birding challenge near Seville focused on finding several owl species in one day....

From EUR 345
Hakalau Forest Native Birds Day Tour with Jack Jeffrey
Hakalau Forest Native Birds Day Tour with Jack Jeffrey
United States / Hawaii Island Custom tour 1 day

A full-day native forest birding and bird photography tour to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Hawaii Island with Jack Jeffrey....

Private Simpson Park Birding Field Trip with Sam Belley
Private Simpson Park Birding Field Trip with Sam Belley
United States / Valley Park Private tour 1 day

A private, flexible birding walk at Simpson Park near St. Louis with Missouri birder and local guide Sam Belley....

Short-eared Owl Photography Tours 2026
Short-eared Owl Photography Tours 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3h

A private two- to three-hour self-drive photography session near Saskatoon, visiting current roadside locations for Short-eared Owls....

From CAD 290
Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour with 2 great options from Saskatoon or Regina
Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour with 2 great options from Saskatoon or Regina
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 1 day

A 1-day Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary outing from Saskatoon or Regina, focused on wetland, shorebird and prairie birding in one of Saska...

From CAD 790