Protected Species in Pennsylvania: Long-eared Owl

What is it?

The Long-eared owl (Asio otus) is a species of owl approximately 15 inches in length and weighs a little over half a pound. Long-eared owls are secretive, nocturnal, and well camouflaged. Prime habitat consists of open fields or meadows that have scattered trees or young forests. The open land gives the owls greater opportunity to spot voles, mice, or voles because there is minimal vegetation in the way to obstruct the view for the owl.

What is the status of the owl?

The long-eared owl is distributed globally, and can be found in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. An exact population number around the globe is unknown, but it is estimated that there are 520,000 individuals located around the world. Unfortunately, these owls are in decline in Pennsylvania and have been listed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission as a threatened species. Loss of edge habitat is a major driver for population declines in Pennsylvania. Change in forest composition toward more oak and hardwood species and less conifers may also contribute to habitat loss. Nesting and roosting sites are more likely to be abandoned due to human intrusion. Rodenticides in agricultural areas could also impact long-eared owls through secondary poisoning through the consumption of affected prey.

Who is helping protect the long-eared owl?

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is charged with upholding the protection of this species in PA. The owl is also included in the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan which is the management plan for all state listed threatened and endangered species. Some of the actions being taken for the owl include identifying and protecting important winter roosting and nesting sites on state land and working with private landowners to help manage conifer habitat.  Volunteers help the Game Commission by surveying the land looking for long-eared owls, nests, and potential habitat and then reporting this information back to be mapped. Monitoring plans help ensure management actions are benefiting the targeted species and improving the species population.

Several non-profit organizations are also involved in the protection and recovery of the long-eared owl in Pennsylvania, including the American Bird Conservancy and the Owl Research Institute. These organizations provide general information about the species such as range distribution, habitat preferences, and conservation advice to help make people more aware of the challenges this species faces and how to help them.

How can land management help the long-eared owl?

The primary reason that the long-eared owl habitat is threatened is habitat loss. The long-eared owl needs a mix of forests, fields, and wetlands to roost and hunt. Land restoration projects could help these owls by including erosion control, grassland and wetland restoration and conservation, shelter creations such as forested wind rows, and nesting creations such as planting conifers. Minimizing human disturbances can also help protect important nesting locations.

Why should we care?

Long-eared owls play an important role in nature by contributing to the food web and biodiversity in general. The owl also brings people joy by providing them an opportunity to go into the woods to observe the bird or just gain satisfaction from knowing it exists. The long-eared owl can help farmers by predating on pests such as rats in agricultural areas. Conserving mixed habitats for the owl can also provide scenic areas with more flourishing wildlife and better views so people can better enjoy nature. Landowners who help provide habitat for the owl may benefit from technical and financial assistance, since some of their land may have to be taken out of agricultural production. The public can also help make the long-eared owl more of a priority by advocating for new or modified zoning rules to slow down development in areas with important habitat.

Student Authors

This extension article was written in collaboration with undergraduate students as part of a class assignment at Pennsylvania State University.

References

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Brauning, D. W. (2015, September). Long-eared Owl Asio otus. Retrieved March 25, 2021, from Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan.

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