This photograph shows a Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus, hunting over a typical grassland habitat. They have a distinctive recognizable flight pattern which consists of low level flight and hovering mixed with erratic and bounding movements. They use sound to detect their prey but often start hunting in the late afternoon. This image was taken in February 2008 in Sacramento County, California, shortly before sunset.
These owls are in the order Strigiformes and the family Strigidae. The Short-eared Owl is one of the more common owls with a wide distribution in the New and Old Worlds. It feeds mainly on small mammals but will sometimes take birds.
Though owls are considered nocturnal raptors, some owls such as the Short-eared and the Snowy Owls are often seen hunting during daylight hours.

This photograph shows a Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus, hunting over a typical grassland habitat. They have a distinctive recognizable flight pattern which consists of low level flight and hovering mixed with erratic and bounding movements. They use sound to detect their prey but often start hunting in the late afternoon. This image was taken in February 2008 in Sacramento County, California, shortly before sunset.
These owls are in the order Strigiformes and the family Strigidae. The Short-eared Owl is one of the more common owls with a wide distribution in the New and Old Worlds. It feeds mainly on small mammals but will sometimes take birds.
Though owls are considered nocturnal raptors, some owls such as the Short-eared and the Snowy Owls are often seen hunting during daylight hours.
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filename: Short-eared owl hunting image |