Wild At Heart Photo Gallery - Short-eared Owl
The
Short-eared Owl migrates through Arizona on its way to its breeding
grounds north of Arizona all the way up to Alaska. Uncommon to
rare in the winter in Arizona, the Short-eared Owl is usually
seen acting like a Northern Harrier, flying low over open fields
in the daytime looking for prey. This type of flight pattern can
lead to contact with automobiles and a broken wing. The Short-eared
Owl pictured here is being treated for a broken wing and may someday
be able to return to the wild.
The "ears" on the Short-eared Owl can lay flat against the head and are sometimes not seen. Notice the strong contrast in the feather colors on the breast and on the back of the head.
Photos by Greg Clark - 2002
Short-eared Owl
Wing Detail