Short-eared owl

The short-eared owl is a widespread grassland owl of the family Strigidae, in the genus Asio, whose members are called eared owls for their mammal-like feather tufts, though this species' very short tufts are usually hidden and shown mainly in a defensive display. It inhabits open country and grassland across much of the world, and has an estimated global population of 1.2 to 2.1 million birds across a very extensive range, supporting its Least Concern status.