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SHORT-EARED OWL
  Bird Call
| Characteristics: |
37 to 39 g long, wing-span 0.95 to 1.10 m. Its plumage is a light straw colour with light and dark marbling on its back and dark, bold stripes on the underparts. Both males and females have the same colouring. The owl is not only active at dusk and at night but also by day. Sits mostly on the ground and sometimes on fence posts or similar prominent perches.
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| Call: |
Deep toot-toot-toot-toot strophes during the courting season and mostly during flight. A clapping of the wings is common during display flights. High and barking call to be heard mostly during incubation and in the vicinity of the nest. |
| Habitation: |
Inhabits open countryside such as moors, heathlands and dune terrain. Also inhabits fields outside the breeding season. Summer visitors to Central Europe between March and October.
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| Distribution: |
Central and Northern Europe, Asia, North America and southern South America.
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| Biology: |
Owls are crepuscular and nocturnal carnivores. The Short-eared Owl mainly hunts small rodents such as voles and other small animals. Generally nests in ground vegetation with the nest cup lined with only sparse nesting material. Lays between 7 and 10 white eggs. Clutches from the beginning of April, mostly only 1 brood a year.
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