Short Eared Owl

Short Eared Owl

Carrizozo, NM
Dan the Jones
on Jul 8, 2007 8:06 pm
Image ID: 309353

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Dustiano

Dustiano - Jul 9, 2007 12:38 am - Voted 10/10

Asio flammeus

...or otherwise known as a Short-eared Owl. Judging from the darker brest than belly, this is probably an adult female. Males are very pale below. While they have been known to live year-round in parts of Colorado and north, they usually spend the summer in Canada. There are rare instances of summer sightings in New Mexico, where you were lucky enough to spot this one.

Dan the Jones

Dan the Jones - Jul 9, 2007 1:29 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Asio flammeus

After doing research into the sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, I actually believe this is the Burrowing Owl.

Dustiano

Dustiano - Jul 9, 2007 3:08 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Asio flammeus

That was my next choice, but the vertical-ish and colored bars on the stomach indicate it is a short-eared. Burrowing have horizontal bars and a very light stomach. Also, the double black sections on the wing ends indicate it as a short-eared. Size details might finalize the decision - Burrowing Owls max out at about 9.5" long, with a 21" wingspan, and a 5 oz. weight. Short-eared max out 50% or more in all the above figures. ???

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