The owl with a surprised look and exclamation point ears, the Long Eared Owl, is a medium lovely colored owl that hunts outside the forest, preferring open ground. It has a broad range across more moderate climates in North America and Eurasia. Though related to the Short Eared Owl, they share an unusual amount of genetic distance from them, despite being the same genus.
Long Ears are more social than most owls and will hang out in groups, they can adapt to more urban environments, and is one of just a handful of truly migratory owl species.
In the Owl of the Year, LEO can come off as too moderate, a jack of all trades, master of none. It isn’t large or powerful. It isn’t the most fabulously fletched. There’s no trick or gimmick. But it has a great combination of things we love in a superb owl: fabulous plumicorns, orange eyes, an intricate but effectively camo feather pattern, strong facial features, and a face full of whimsy. Take the time to consider the Long Ear as a whole, and see if it can get your support today!
Dusky Eagle has its share of fans. They are tall, dark, handsome owls from South and Southeast Asia. Of genus Ketupa, they are related to the fish owls, though these don’t subscribe to the seafood diet they do.
Not much study seems to have been done on Duskies, so there’s not much more I can say. With dark plumage, orange eyes, and tall stature, they are one of a kind and very distinct. If dark and secretive is for you, the Dusky makes a great choice of owl!
Long Eared
Old Picture #2
So it was pointed out I may have misidentified this, and after review, I believe it is not a Long Ear, but its cousin the Short Ear.
Pics 1 and 3 are American LEOs, with bolder colors. New pic 2 is a European LEO, that have colors a bit more washed out than the American ones.
This is what happens when one works on things while falling asleep!
I think I’m All-In on the weirdos this year. Probably past years too, but I’m doing it on purpose this year. That third picture is amazing, what a transformation little free spirit, be whatever you want to be. “Majesty and drama” sounds like a 2026 vibe
But then there’s the Bubo and fish owls!? I don’t really know what to do.
Even with a specific goal like that, it is going to get hard at some point! I keep refining my matchmaking to make sure of it. We wouldn’t want things to get boring 😊
Well, this is the first of several can’t-wins since I’m big on these LEOs, but who can resist the mystery of Dusky fish cousin?
Hmmmmm.
This year’s game has so many tough first round decisions! I don’t envy your responsibility.
Beautiful. But isn’t the second image a short eared owl?
Oh, pellets! I think you are correct. After some more searching, I think this was a stolen image and labeled improperly.
I left the old one up under spoiler tags and a brief explanation of my mistake. The European ones are paler than the US ones, and as I was up too late prepping the posts, it looked close enough at the time I didn’t catch it.
Though it is embarrassing, I do appreciate you pointing it out! I never want to give you guys wrong info, and I’m not above admitting when I’m wrong. I’m just a hobbyist at this, after all.
Thank you, you’re the best. It’s the eyes for me, the dark pattern around the short-eared’s eyes is very distinctive. Though I admit the lack of plumicorns also made me suspicious, I don’t remember seeing an image of long-eared with plumicorns down before. The new image is great!
The more I looked at it, the more differences I could find. I am much more accustomed to American ones, I just saw the pale colors and went with that other pic to cover the Europeans so they get the LEO they’re used to and called it a night.
They do look like a much different owl when the plumicorns are down since they’re so characteristic.
I’m glad you enjoy the new photo and got to see it looking a bit differently. I always try to show you all stuff you havent seen a million times.