Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: OWL, LONG-EARED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AVES

Order: STRIGIFORMES

Family: STRIGIDAE

Genus: ASIO

Species: OTUS

Taxonomic Authority: (LESSON)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
GLOBAL RANK G5
STATE RANK SU

Status References: 020 , 022 , 017

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit old fields, forest edge, coniferous or mixed forests, especially near water. Forage in open land and cropland. Roost in dense, thick cover."

Primary Habitat: "Undetermined"

References: 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Rare winter resident, casual summer resident *01,18*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BOLLINGER ADAIR
BOONE ANDREW
BUCHANAN ATCHISON
CALLAWAY AUDRAIN
CLINTON BARRY
CRAWFORD BARTON
FRANKLIN BATES
HOLT BENTON
JACKSON BUTLER
LIVINGSTON CALDWELL
MONTGOMERY CAMDEN
NODAWAY CAPE GIRARDEAU
ST. CHARLES CARROLL
ST. LOUIS CARTER
VERNON CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
COLE
COOPER
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 018 , 019 , 009 , 024

Distribution by Watersheds

Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Little R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
South Grand R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Shortleaf Pine Reproduction (3-9" dbh)
Mature Shortleaf Pine (open understory)
Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Mature Shortleaf Pine (dense understory)
Cereal Grain
Shrub-Grass
Fruiting Tree-Shrub
Eastern Red Cedar (70% + crown closure)
Eastern Red Cedar (30-70% crown closure)
Edge (Forest-Field)
Mature Oak-Hickory: (9" + dbh, dense understory)

References for Habitat Types: 011 , 012 , 013 , 015

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Dry Forest
Dry-Mesic Forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Chert Forest
Dry Chert Forest
Dry-Mesic Chert Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Dry Sandstone Forest
Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Bottomland Forest

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 019

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Leporidae (rabbits); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 010 , 011 , 012

Adult Food Habits

Salientia (frogs, toads, peepers, tree frogs); Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Chiroptera (bats); Not Specified
Leporidae (rabbits); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Muridae (Norway rat, house mouse); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 010 , 011 , 012 , 023

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 013

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 013

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Does not nest in missouri

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 021 , 001 , 011 , 012 , 013

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/old field edge
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)

References for resting adult niche requirements: 013

Niche Requirement Summary

Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Agricultural crops: small grains
Does not nest in missouri
Edge: woodland/old field edge
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Successional stage specified in comments(00370)
Successional stage: abandoned field

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment

Life History Information

Periodicity: active at night
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: spring/fall/winter
Foraging strategy: hawking
Foraging sites: ground

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment

References for life history: 001 , 013 , 014

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Shrub/brush - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Urban - maintain woodlots
Forest - develop and maintain food plots
Forest - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Forest - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - maintain habitat diversity
Forest - reforestation
Forest - maintain mast producing trees
Grassland - maintain early stage of ecological succession

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 019

Adverse Managment Practices:

Urban - application of pesticides
Urban - application of insecticides
Urban - control of animal species (pest/nuisance species)
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides
Forest - control undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers, etc.)

Adverse Management References: 001 , 019

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Unpb Rathert, J. 1981. Missouri Department Of Conservation.1110 S. College Ave. Columbia,Mo. 65201. (573-882-9880)
002 American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Checklist Of North American Birds, 5th Ed. Lord Baltimore Press. Baltimore, Md. 691 Pp.
003 Birds Of Squaw Creek National Wildife Refuge. 1975. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. Rf-663560-2.
004 Anderson, R. and P. Bauer. 1968. A Guide To Finding Birds In The St.Louis Area. Webster Groves Nature Study Society. 44 Pp.
005 Missouri Department Of Conservation. 1979. Duck Creek Bird Checklist Mo Dept. Of Conserv. Jefferson City, Mo.
006 Heilbrun, L.H. 1975.1974-1975 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 29(2):178-603.
007 Heilbron, L.H. 1977.1976-1977 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 31(4):428-909.
008 Heilbron, L.H. 1978.1977-1978 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 32(4):447-911.
009 Heilbron, L.H. 1979.1978-1979 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 33(4):327-707.
010 Korschgen, L.J and H.B.Stuart. 1972. Twenty Years Of Avian Predator Small Mammal Relationships In Missouri. J. Wildl. Mange. 36(2):269-282.
011 Walker,L.W.1974.The Book Of Owls.Alfred A.Knopf,Inc. New York 255 Pp
012 Cahn,A.R. and J.T.Kemp.1930.On The Food Of Certain Owls In East Central Illinois.Auk 47:323-328.
013 Marti,C.D.1976.A Review Of Prey Selection By The Long-Eared Owl. Condor 78:331-336.
014 Armstrong,W.H.1958.Nesting And Food Habits Of The Long-Eared Owl In Michigan.Mich. St. Univ. Mus. Publs. Biol. Ser. 1:61-96.
015 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
016 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
017 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
018 Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri.
019 Unpb Wilson,J.D. 1981. Missouri Department Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, Mo. 65102 (573-751-4115)
020 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
021 Kingsley, N.P. and T.H. Nichols. 1992. Raptor Habitat In The Midwest. Midwest Raptor Management Symposium And Workshop. Pp. 185-194.
022 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
023 Maccarone, A.D. and P. Janzen. 2005. Winter diet of long-eared owls (Asio otus) at an urban roost in Wichita, Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 108 (3/4): 116-120.
024 Rowe, W.C. 2007. Nineteenth Annual Report of the Missouri Bird Records Committee. The Audubon Society of Missouri.