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Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Bird · family Strigidae · order Strigiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
49 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
4 years[4]

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a bird in the owl family Strigidae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Short-eared Owl a global rank of G5 (Secure)[2]. In the United States its rank is N5B,N5N, which means Secure for breeding birds and Secure for nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The owl is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. Not being listed under the ESA is a fact about the law, not a promise about every local population.

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[9] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[10] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Short-eared Owl lives

NatureServe lists the Short-eared Owl as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. These include Alaska, California, New York, Texas and Washington, along with the District of Columbia and Hawaii[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone or likely gone, in Connecticut and Delaware[11]. State lists show where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see one there.

Alaska: native, state rank S4BAKMaine: native, state rank S1B,S1NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S1BWIVermont: native, state rank S1B,S1NVTNew Hampshire: native, state rank SNANHWashington: native, state rank S2B,S3NWAIdaho: native, state rank S3IDMontana: native, state rank S4MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRB,SNRNNDMinnesota: native, state rank S3BMNIllinois: native, state rank S1ILMichigan: native, state rank S1MINew York: native, state rank S2NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S1B,S3NMAOregon: native, state rank S3ORNevada: native, state rank S2NVWyoming: native, state rank S1WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3B,S3NSDIowa: native, state rank S1B,S2NIAIndiana: native, state rank S2INOhio: native, state rank S1OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S1B,S3N,S2MPANew Jersey: native, state rank S1B,S3NNJConnecticut: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S1NCTRhode Island: native, state rank S1NRICalifornia: native, state rank S2CAUtah: native, state rank S2UTColorado: native, state rank S2BCONebraska: native, state rank S2NEMissouri: native, state rank S2MOKentucky: native, state rank S1B,S2NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S2NWVVirginia: native, state rank S1B,S3NVAMaryland: native, state rank S1BMDDelaware: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S1NDEArizona: native, state rank SNRAZNew Mexico: native, state rank S1B,S2NNMKansas: native, state rank S2B,S3NKSArkansas: native, state rank S3NARTennessee: native, state rank S3NTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank SUB,S3NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S2SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S1N,SHBDCOklahoma: native, state rank S3NOKLouisiana: native, state rank S2NLAMississippi: native, state rank S2NMSAlabama: native, state rank S2NALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: native, state rank S2HITexas: native, state rank S4NTXFlorida: native, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (51 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
AlaskaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
ArizonaSNRNot Ranked
ArkansasS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaS2Imperiled
ColoradoS2BImperiled (breeding)
ConnecticutSHB,S1NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
DelawareSHB,S1NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
District of ColumbiaS1N,SHBCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding), Possibly Extirpated (breeding)
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
HawaiiS2Imperiled
IdahoS3Vulnerable
IllinoisS1Critically Imperiled
IndianaS2Imperiled
IowaS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
KansasS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
MaineS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MarylandS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
MassachusettsS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
MichiganS1Critically Imperiled
MinnesotaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
MississippiS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
MissouriS2Imperiled
MontanaS4Apparently Secure
NebraskaS2Imperiled
NevadaS2Imperiled
New HampshireSNANot Applicable
New JerseyS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
New YorkS2Imperiled
North CarolinaSUB,S3NUnrankable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSNRB,SNRNNot Ranked (breeding), Not Ranked (nonbreeding)
OhioS1Critically Imperiled
OklahomaS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
OregonS3Vulnerable
PennsylvaniaS1B,S3N,S2MCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding), Imperiled (migrant)
Rhode IslandS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
South CarolinaS2Imperiled
South DakotaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
TennesseeS3NVulnerable (nonbreeding)
TexasS4NApparently Secure (nonbreeding)
UtahS2Imperiled
VermontS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
VirginiaS1B,S3NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
West VirginiaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
WyomingS1Critically Imperiled

Habitat

NatureServe records habitat types for this owl such as savanna, grassland, old fields, tundra, cropland with hedgerows, herbaceous wetland and bog or fen[13]. The notes say it needs broad open land with low plants for nesting and hunting[14]. Marshes, dunes, prairies, meadows and open woodland are also named as suitable[14]. An area also needs enough prey to be useful[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

Adult Short-eared Owls eat mainly rodents, along with other small mammals, small birds and insects[15]. EltonTraits estimates the diet at 100% warm-blooded vertebrates[16]. NatureServe records a typical length of 38 cm (15 in) and a typical adult weight of 378 g[17][18]. AnAge lists a typical clutch size of 6 and an incubation period of 25 days[19][20]. The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 4 years 4 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 38 cm (15 in)
Typical adult weight[18] 378 g (13.3 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[21] 21.8 years
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 4 years 4 months
Litter or clutch size[19] 6
Gestation or incubation[20] 25 days
Female maturity[22] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[23] Carnivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 100% warm-blooded vertebrates

When to look for it

This owl is crepuscular, which means it is most active at dawn and dusk[25]. NatureServe also notes it may hunt by day or night[26]. Its migration category is non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, because populations differ[24]. Birds that breed across much of Canada and the north-central US move south for winter[27]. On GBIF, most US records fall in January, February and December[28]. Records reflect when people look and report, not how many owls there are[28].

January: 37,726 recordsJanFebruary: 23,834 recordsFebMarch: 16,852 recordsMarApril: 10,793 recordsAprMay: 8,178 recordsMayJune: 8,347 recordsJunJuly: 3,356 recordsJulAugust: 2,099 recordsAugSeptember: 1,989 recordsSepOctober: 6,025 recordsOctNovember: 16,313 recordsNovDecember: 28,044 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[28].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January37,726
February23,834
March16,852
April10,793
May8,178
June8,347
July3,356
August2,099
September1,989
October6,025
November16,313
December28,044

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Short-eared Owl as present in 91 park units[29]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 67 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Washington, New York, Alaska, California, Ohio[30]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Short-eared Owl endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally[2].
Where does the Short-eared Owl live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 49 US states and territories[3]. It uses open habitats such as grassland, tundra and wetland[13].
What does the Short-eared Owl eat?
It eats mainly rodents, plus other small mammals, small birds and insects[15].
How big is a Short-eared Owl?
NatureServe records a typical length of 38 cm (15 in) and a typical weight of 378 g[17][18].
How long does a Short-eared Owl live?
The oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 4 years 4 months old[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Short-eared Owl is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Short-eared Owl: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Short-eared Owl as native in 49 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Short-eared Owl from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 4 years 4 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a bird in the family Strigidae, order Strigiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5B,N5N (Secure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Short-eared Owl is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe ranks Short-eared Owl as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Connecticut, Delaware. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Short-eared Owl (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Short-eared Owl: Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Tundra, Cropland/hedgerow, Herbaceous wetland, Bog/fen. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Short-eared Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Short-eared Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 100% warm-blooded vertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 38 cm (15 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 378 g (13.3 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 6. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 25 days. AnAge
  21. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 21.8 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  22. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  23. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore. NatureServe Explorer
  24. NatureServe migration category for Short-eared Owl: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Circadian, Diurnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on phenology for Short-eared Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  27. NatureServe notes on migration for Short-eared Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  28. GBIF observation records of Short-eared Owl in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  29. NPSpecies park lists recording Short-eared Owl as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  30. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Short-eared Owl: Washington, New York, Alaska, California, Ohio. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.