Long eared Owl

Habitat: Extensive forests and woodlands between fields, also in parks and towns. During severe frosts, it is more common near human habitation, where it hunts songbirds at feeding stations.

Appearance: The long-eared owl is widespread in Europe. The species is absent in the far north and Iceland. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is a fairly rare breeding bird – year bird – winter visitor in fairly small to fairly large numbers.

Breeding season: March to July, tree nest – never builds its own nest but usually breeds in the nests of crows and birds of prey, 3 to 5 eggs.

Characteristics: Length 31 to 37 cm, wingspan 90 to 100 cm, weight 220 to 370 grams, age 27 years.

Food: The long-eared owl is mainly a mouse hunter. He mostly hunts from a vantage point, partly by sight and partly by hearing. He can grab a mouse nibbling invisibly under the thick grass and fly away with a tuft of grass torn out with the prey in between. A mouse is swallowed whole. In winter, they also prey on small birds, but in summer they supplement their diet with insects.