Long-eared owl

The long-eared owl, Asio otus, also called the northern long-eared owl or cat owl, is a medium-sized owl of the family Strigidae with an extensive distribution across Eurasia from the Iberian Peninsula through Russia to Japan, and through much of North America from British Columbia to the southwestern United States, wintering south into North Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia. It measures 31 to 40 centimeters long with a wingspan of 86 to 102 centimeters, has erectile ear tufts set closer to the center of the head than in most owls, ochraceous-tawny plumage washed with grey or brown and streaked with black, and yellowish-orange to orange-red eyes, with females typically larger than males. It specializes in hunting voles but takes other prey when necessary, migrates in northern populations, and roosts communally in winter in groups from 6 to more than 150 birds, relying on highly asymmetrical ear structures for exceptional hearing. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and in CITES Appendix II.