Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of
Conservation
Common Name: OWL, SHORT-EARED
Phylum: CHORDATA
Class: AVES
Order: STRIGIFORMES
Family: STRIGIDAE
Genus: ASIO
Species: FLAMMEUS
SubSpecies: FLAMMEUS
Taxonomic Authority: (PONTOPPIDAN)
Taxonomy References: 001
NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5
Status References: 031 , 021 , 025
"Occur in grassland, old fields, marshes and bogs."
Primary Habitat: "Grassland(matrix)"
"Uncommon winter resident, casual summer visitant *22*. occasionally nest in Missouri, more likely during years with high rodent populations *30*."
| Known | Likely | Unknown | Not Likely | Historic | Extirpated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARTON | ADAIR | ||||
| BENTON | ANDREW | ||||
| BOLLINGER | ATCHISON | ||||
| BOONE | AUDRAIN | ||||
| CALLAWAY | BARRY | ||||
| CHARITON | BATES | ||||
| CLAY | BUCHANAN | ||||
| CLINTON | BUTLER | ||||
| COLE | CALDWELL | ||||
| COOPER | CAMDEN | ||||
| FRANKLIN | CAPE GIRARDEAU | ||||
| GREENE | CARROLL | ||||
| GRUNDY | CARTER | ||||
| HOLT | CASS | ||||
| JACKSON | CEDAR | ||||
| KNOX | CHRISTIAN | ||||
| LEWIS | CLARK | ||||
| MACON | CRAWFORD | ||||
| MARION | DADE | ||||
| MISSISSIPPI | DALLAS | ||||
| MONROE | DAVIESS | ||||
| NODAWAY | DEKALB | ||||
| PETTIS | DENT | ||||
| PIKE | DOUGLAS | ||||
| PUTNAM | DUNKLIN | ||||
| RALLS | GASCONADE | ||||
| ST. CHARLES | GENTRY | ||||
| ST. CLAIR | HARRISON | ||||
| VERNON | HENRY | ||||
| WAYNE | HICKORY | ||||
| HOWARD | |||||
| HOWELL | |||||
| IRON | |||||
| JASPER | |||||
| JEFFERSON | |||||
| JOHNSON | |||||
| LACLEDE | |||||
| LAFAYETTE | |||||
| LAWRENCE | |||||
| LINCOLN | |||||
| LINN | |||||
| LIVINGSTON | |||||
| MADISON | |||||
| MARIES | |||||
| MCDONALD | |||||
| MERCER | |||||
| MILLER | |||||
| MONITEAU | |||||
| MONTGOMERY | |||||
| MORGAN | |||||
| NEW MADRID | |||||
| NEWTON | |||||
| OREGON | |||||
| OSAGE | |||||
| OZARK | |||||
| PEMISCOT | |||||
| PERRY | |||||
| PHELPS | |||||
| PLATTE | |||||
| POLK | |||||
| PULASKI | |||||
| RANDOLPH | |||||
| RAY | |||||
| REYNOLDS | |||||
| RIPLEY | |||||
| SALINE | |||||
| SCHUYLER | |||||
| SCOTLAND | |||||
| SHANNON | |||||
| SHELBY | |||||
| ST. FRANCOIS | |||||
| ST. LOUIS | |||||
| STE. GENEVIEVE | |||||
| STODDARD | |||||
| STONE | |||||
| SULLIVAN | |||||
| TANEY | |||||
| TEXAS | |||||
| WARREN | |||||
| WASHINGTON | |||||
| WEBSTER | |||||
| WORTH | |||||
| WRIGHT |
References for distribution: 030 , 045 , 046 , 022 , 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 026 , 038
North Fabius R. and Middle Fabius R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
North Fork from Headwaters to South Fork
South Fork from Headwaters to North Fork
Salt R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Bourbeuse R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.
Northwest Corner of Jackson County
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Little Osage R.
Marmaton R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
South Grand R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.
James R.
Black R.
Spring R.
Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."
Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Osage Plains, Ozark Highlands
Comments: ""
Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains
Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.
Palustrine
"Palustrine"
References for Aquatic Associations: 014 , 023
Marsh
Annuals
Cereal Grain
Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Perennial Grass (cool-season)
Shrub-Grass
Eastern Red Cedar (30-70% crown closure)
Savanna (Grass-Shrub)
References for Habitat Types: 014 , 023
Savanna
Dry Savanna
Dry-Mesic Savanna
Mesic Savanna
Wet-Mesic Savanna
Limestone/Dolomite Savanna
Chert Savanna
Sandstone Savanna
Sand Savanna
Igneous Savanna
Prairie
Dry Prairie
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Wet Prairie
Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Prairie
Chert Prairie
Dry Chert Prairie
Dry-Mesic Chert Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Sand Prairie
Dry Sand Prairie
Dry-Mesic Sand Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
Wetland
Marshes
Freshwater Marsh
Pond Marsh
References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 014 , 016 , 018 , 019 , 023
"Carnivore"
Comments for larval food habits:
""
References for larval food habits:
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Insects
Insects; Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""
References Juvenile Food Habits 016 , 017
Salmoniformes (trout, salmon, smelts, pikes); Juvenile stage
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Juvenile stage
Laridae (gulls and terns); Juvenile stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Mammals; Not Specified
Soricidae (shrews); Not Specified
Chiroptera (bats); Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Insects
Insects; Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Not Specified
Mimidae (mockingbirds and thrashers); Not Specified
Vireonidae (vireos); Not Specified
Parulidae (wood warblers); Not Specified
Icteridae (meadowlarks, blackbirds, orioles); Not Specified
Fringillidae (grosbeaks, sparrows, finches, and buntings); Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Charadriidae (plovers); Not Specified
Laridae (gulls and terns); Not Specified
Strigidae (typical owls); Not Specified
Tyrannidae (tyrant flycatchers); Not Specified
Alaudidae (larks); Not Specified
Paridae (titmice, chickadees); Not Specified
Laridae (gulls and terns); Adult Stage
Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""
References Adult Food Habits 016 , 017 , 024 , 027
References for egg niches requirements:
References for feeding larvae niche requirements:
References for resting Larvae niche requirements:
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: bog
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Agricultural crops: wheat
Agricultural crops: flooded crop fields
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 016 , 018 , 019
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 016 , 018
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Size of continuous grasslands specified in comments(00365)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Shrubs
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Agricultural crops: hay
References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 030 , 032 , 019 , 028
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: bog
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: flooded crop fields
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for feeding adult niche requirements: 033 , 016 , 018 , 019
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: bog
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: climax grassland
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: flooded crop fields
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
References for resting adult niche requirements: 016 , 018
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Agricultural crops: flooded crop fields
Agricultural crops: hay
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: wheat
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Grass cover (%) specified in comments(00622)
Height of herbaceous vegetation specified in comments(00630)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments(00620)
Herbaceous cover (%) specified in comments
Inland wetlands specified in comments(00250)
Inland wetlands: bog
Inland wetlands: marsh
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Shrubs
Size of continuous grasslands specified in comments(00365)
Successional stage: abandoned field
Successional stage: climax grassland
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Successional stage: subclimax grassland
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 026 | May maintain winter feeding territory of up to 5.5 square miles. *20* |
| 030 | Hunt during 2 hours before sunset, also may hunt at night *24* |
Territoriality specified in comments(026)
Periodicity: active at night
Periodicity: active in day
Periodicity: active at dawn or dusk
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: winter: 12/1 - 2/29
Foraging strategy: hawking
Foraging sites: ground
| Code | Comment |
|---|---|
| 026 | May maintain winter feeding territory of up to 5.5 square miles. *20* |
| 030 | Hunt during 2 hours before sunset, also may hunt at night *24* |
References for life history: 002 , 017 , 019 , 020 , 024 , 038
Grassland - develop/maintain brushpiles
Grassland - prohibit grazing
Shrub/brush - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Shrub/brush - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Shrub/brush - control grazing of domestic livestock
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Shrub/brush - maintain habitat diversity
Shrub/brush - develop/maintain brushpiles
Water - develop/maintain freshwater marsh
Agricultural - develop and maintain food plots
Agricultural - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Agricultural - maintain habitat diversity
Agricultural - retention of crop residue over winter
Agricultural - no-till farming
Agricultural - prohibit grazing
Grassland - develop and maintain food plots
Grassland - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Grassland - control grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - prescribed/controlled burning
Grassland - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Grassland - haying/mowing
Grassland - maintain habitat diversity
Beneficial Management References: 023 , 028
Shrub/brush - application of pesticides
Shrub/brush - application of insecticides
Shrub/brush - control of undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers)
Shrub/brush - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Agricultural - control of undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers, etc.)
Agricultural - uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - control of undesirable vertebrate species (coyotes, gophers)
Grassland - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock
Adverse Management References: 002 , 023
Comments on Management:
In IL preferred idle areas to mowed areas for nesting *32*. in MO study were seen on moderately grazed and idle prairie pasture *33*. In IL study, nested in fields that had been disturbed by mowing or burning within the previous year. recommended providing a mix of idle and managed areas within a grassland complex *34*.
References for Management Comments: 032 , 033 , 034 , 037
| Reference Code | Citation |
|---|---|
| 001 | American Ornithologists Union. 1957. Checklist Of North American Birds, 5th Ed. Lord Baltimore Press. Baltimore, Md. 691 Pp. |
| 002 | Unpb Rathert,J.1981.Missouri Department Of Conservation.1110 S. College Ave. Columbia,Mo. 65201. (573-882-9880) |
| 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 | Rising, J., T. Pucci, N. Johnson, and R. Dawson. 1978. Birds Of The Kansas City Area. Burroughs Audubon Soc. Of Kansas City And The Shawnee Mission Environ Sci. Laboratory, Shawnee Mission South High School, KS. 46 Pp. |
| 006 | Missouri Department Of Conservation. 1979. Duck Creek Bird Checklist Mo Dept. Of Conserv. Jefferson City, Mo. |
| 007 | Birds Of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.1970.Department Of The Interior Fish And Wildlife Service.Bureau Of Sport Fisheries And Wildlife.Refuge Leaflet 179-R3. |
| 008 | Dierker, W.W. 1979. Birds Of The Hannibal, Missouri Area. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 13: 41-51. |
| 009 | Heilbrun, L.H. 1975.1974-1975 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 29(2):178-603. |
| 010 | Heilbrun, L.H. 1975.1974-1975 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 29(2):178-603. |
| 011 | Heilbron, L.H. 1977.1976-1977 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 31(4):428-909. |
| 012 | Heilbron, L.H. 1978.1977-1978 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 32(4):447-911. |
| 013 | Heilbron, L.H. 1979.1978-1979 Christmas Bird Count. Amer. Birds 33(4):327-707. |
| 014 | Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp. |
| 015 | Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24. |
| 016 | Weller,M.W.,And C.S.Spatcher.1965.Role Of Habitat In The Distribution And Abundance Of Marsh Birds. Agric. and Home Econ. Exp Station,Iowa State University Special Report. No. 43. 31 Pp. |
| 017 | Stegeman,L.C.1957.Winter Food Of The Short-Eared Owl.Amer. Midl. Natur. 57:120-124 |
| 018 | Munyer,E.A.1966.Winter Food Of The Short-Eared Owl,Asio Flammeus,In Illinois. Ill. State Acad. Sci. Trans. 59:174-180. |
| 019 | Parry, G. and R. Putnam. 1979. Birds Of Prey. Simon and Schuster. New York. 120 Pp. |
| 020 | Short,H.L.,And L.C.Drew.1962.Observations Concerning Behavior, Feeding,And Pellets Of Short-Eared Owls. Amer. Mild. Natur. 67:424-433 |
| 021 | The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115. |
| 022 | Easterla, D.A., M.B. Robbins and R.A. Anderson. 1992. Annotated Check-List Of Missouri Birds. The Audubon Society Of Missouri. |
| 023 | Unpb Wilson,J.D. 1981. Missouri Department Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, Mo. 65102 (573-751-4115) |
| 024 | Colvin, B.A. and S.R. Spaulding. 1983. Winter Foraging Behavior Of Short-Eared Owls (Asio Flammeus) In Ohio. Amer. Mid. Nat. 110:124-128. |
| 025 | The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp. |
| 026 | Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. |
| 027 | Holt, D.W. 1993. Breeding Season Diet Of Short-Eared Owls In Massachusetts. Wilson Bull. 105:490-496. |
| 028 | Berkey, G., R. Crawford, S. Galipeau, D. Johnson, D. Lambeth and R. Kreil. 1993. A Review Of Wildlife Management Practices In North Dakota: Effects On Nongame Bird Populations And Habitats. U.S. Forest Serv. Rept., Region 6. Denver, Co. |
| 029 | Johnson, D.H. 1996. Management Of Northern Prairies And Wetlands For The Conservation Of Neotropical Migratory Birds. Pp. 53-67 In Thompson, F.R. Iii, Ed. Management Of Midwestern Landscapes For The Conservation Of Neotropical Migratory Birds. U.S.D.A. For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rept. Nc-187. 208 Pp. |
| 030 | Jacobs, B. and J.D. Wilson. 1997. Missouri Breeding Bird Atlas 1986-1992. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Natural History Series No. 6. Jefferson City, Mo. 430 Pp. |
| 031 | Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp. |
| 032 | Herkert, J.R., S.A. Simpson, R.L. Westemeier, T.L. Esker and J.W. Walk. 1999. Response Of Northern Harriers And Short-Eared Owls To Grassland Management In Illinois. J. Wildl. Manage. 63(2):517-523. |
| 033 | Unpb Skinner, R.M. 1982. Vegetation Structure And Bird Habitat Selection On Missouri Prairies. Ph.D. Diss., Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 210 Pp. |
| 034 | Herkert, J.R., S.A. Simpson, R.L. Westemeier, T.L. Esker and J.W. Walk. 1999. Response Of Northern Harriers And Short-Eared Owls To Grassland Management In Illinois. J. Wildl. Manage. 63(2):517-523. |
| 037 | unpb DeJong, J.R. 2001. Landscape fragmentation and grassland patch size effects on non-game grassland birds in xeric mixed-grass prairies of western South Dakota. M.S. thesis, South Dakota State Univ., 124 pp. |
| 038 | Young, N. Personal communication. Big Muddy NFWR, 4200 New Haven Rd, Columbia, MO 65201; (573)441-2948. |
| 045 | Unpb Crawford, W. 1998 Collector's Permit Report. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115. |
| 046 | Unpb Elliott, Tony. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 356, Atlanta, Mo 63530. 660-239-4245. |