The Long-eared Owl has its name because it has two patches of long thin feathers on its head which look like ears. However, these feathers are not ears, but ‘ear-tufts’ which the owl raises when alarmed. This owl can be found in most parts of England in woods and forests where there is open countryside nearby, but it is very rarely seen because it perches very close up to the trunks of trees.

The Long-eared Owl is a long thin owl that is a rich brown colour with darker vertical brown streaks. It has long white eyebrows that run down to its beak and white ‘moustache’ feathers that almost hide the beak. It looks like it has a flat face because its beak points downwards and it has deep orange coloured eyes. The Barn Owl can move its neck in almost every direction so it can get a better view all round. It has a wingspan of around ninety-five centimetres and in flight it seems to waver effortlessly up and down in the air.

Long-eared Owls hunt at night in open grassy fields. They use their strong sense of hearing to locate prey in the dark of night and not their eyes, even though they have very good night vision. They eat voles, mice and birds that are resting in their roosts.

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