***Federal - MBTA***
***NY - Special Concern***

    Short-eared Owls are one of New York's most visible owls.  Although rare as a breeding bird the resident birds are joined by their conspecifics to the north in winter.  Appearing locally, some wintering areas can hold astounding numbers of these birds.  Active by dusk and dawn the Short-eared Owl can most often be seen in open habitat with hedges or woods nearby.  They spend a lot of time at dusk and dawn flying in search of prey, unlike most owls which are most active during the dark of night.  It has been said that a Short-eared Owl can catch enough food in five minutes to feed itself for the night.  Short-eared Owls have a hoarse barking call and they will call in winter, but it is seldom heard.