Short-Eared Owl  Asio flammeus
Short-Eared Owl  Asio flammeus

Often active in daylight this bird of open grasslands is one of the most widely distributed owls in the world.  It can be found across North and South America, Eurasia and on many oceanic islands including Hawaii.
Relying mostly on sound to locate its prey, it hunts flying low to the ground, often hovering to capture mostly rodents’ esp. voles.  It also will feed on birds, more so in coastal regions.
One of the few species that have benefited from strip mining it has reclaimed areas of replanted mines.  Although, due to loss of habitat, it has disappeared from former nest sites in its southern range.

Copyright Mark Tiefenbach Deepbrook Nature Photography