Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

'Mr Burns' is a new addition to the centre for 2009, bringing our total of native species of British owls to five (out of six). He arrived at the centre at 3 weeks old, and has been hand-raised.

He will also be used for many different things at the centre, such as Owl Evenings and other Experience Days, Educational Talks and Outside Events.

In the wild

The Long-eared Owl gets its name from the ear tufts on the top of its head. These feathers have no benefit to their amazing sense of hearing.

Origin: Eurasia (nearly all of Europe and central band of Asia), Northern Africa (Morocco to Tunisia) and North America.

Diet: Mostly small mammals, especially voles and also takes birds up to the size of Moorhen. Also feeds on other small vertebrates and insects. Normally hunts along hedges, forest edges, or over open country by flying low, dashing suddenly on to prey on the ground or among foliage; sometimes hunts from a perch.

Habitat:  Rather open landscapes with groups of trees, hedges or small woods; pastureland with rows of trees and bushes; forest (deciduous, mixed or coniferous) with clearings and forest edges.