The Long Eared Owl (Asio otus), also known as the northern long-eared owl or cat owl, is a medium-sized bird with a wide breeding range across Europe, the Palearctic, and North America. Its genus name, Asio, means “horned owl” in Latin, while “otus” comes from Greek, referring to a small-eared owl.
These owls prefer semi-open habitats, especially woodland edges, where they roost and nest in dense trees but hunt over open ground. Their diet primarily consists of small rodents, particularly voles, though they can adapt to include birds and insects when necessary. Long-eared owls do not build their own nests; they typically use those made by other animals, especially corvids.
Breeding success is linked to prey availability and predation risks. Unlike many owls, they are not strongly territorial and are partially migratory, often appearing erratically. Long-eared owls are widely distributed and abundant, classified as a least concern species by the IUCN, but noticeable declines have been recorded in some regions.
