Long-eared Owl Asio Otus Stock Photo

The Long-eared Owl - Asio otus previously: Strix otus is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping of owls are the barn owls, family Tytonidae. The Long-eared Owl is a medium sized owl, 31–40 cm 12–16 in in length with an 86–100 cm 34–39 in wingspan and a body mass of 178–435 g 6.3–15.3 oz. It has erect blackish ear-tufts, which are positioned in the center of the head. The ear-tufts are used to make the owl appear larger to other owls while perched. The female is larger in size and darker in coloration than the male. The Long-eared Owl’s brownish feathers are vertically streaked.