Asio flammeus

The Short-eared Owl is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) because of the extremely small breeding population estimated at less than 50 mature individuals. The species apparently does not breed in Israel every year. In the previous edition of the red book (2002), it was classified as Data Deficient (DD). The change in its status reflects new discoveries regarding its breeding range in Israel and its potential population size.

Habitats	Wetland Thickets, Cropland, Humid Lowlands
Presence In Israel	Summer
Breeding In Israel	Breeder
Migration Types	Nomad
Zoographical Zones	Mediterranean
Landscape Types	Plains & Valleys, Wetlands, Marsh, Wetland Thickets
Vegetation Types	Cropland, Herbaceous, Marsh and Riparian
Vegetation Densities	Medium, Low
Nest Locations	Ground
Diet Types	Terrestrial Vertebrates
Foraging Grounds	Ground
Body Sizes	Small (up to 500g)
Threat Factors	Pesticide Poisoning, Habitat loss and fragmentation, Nest destruction by agricultural activity, Wetland Drainage & Pollution

The Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl, with a dark brown striped plumage on its upper parts and breast, and pale cream on its lower parts. Eyes are yellow and “ear” tufts are short. It is a nocturnal species that also hunts in daylight, often in full light, in the morning and afternoon. Hunting method resembles harriers, as it flies low with raised wings surveying the open fields below. Usually flies against the wind using hearing as the main sense in locating prey.

The Short-eared Owl was apparently a rather rare breeder in northern and central Israel until the 1970s, particularly in “vole years” (Sela 1975, Paz 1986, Shirihai 1996). Since then the number of nesting observations has decreased considerably. In spring 1998, a farmer collected a nest with nestlings in the Hamadia area (Bet She’an Valley) (Kobi Merom, pers. comm.). In 2005, a fledgling was hit by a vehicle near Gedera, and three family groups were seen in the Judean Lowlands in spring 2016, which was a “vole year” in that area (Ezra Hadad, pers. comm.).

Nests on the ground, usually in marshes, wetlands and meadows. It also overwinters in arid areas in the desert transition area and in coastal sand dunes.

The Short-eared Owl nests on the ground, usually in marshes, wetlands, meadows and agricultural fields. It was impacted by marsh drainage, changes and destruction of fallow areas, as well as by secondary poisoning by agricultural pesticides. Individuals nesting in cultivated fields are vulnerable to injury by farming equipment or by eruptive species such as jackals, mongooses and crows. There is no data regarding how the species is affected by the increase in barn owls used for pest control in agricultural areas (over 2,000 nesting boxes have been erected; Yossi Leshem pers. Comm.).

No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.

The Short-eared Owl is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) because of the extremely small number of breeding pairs in Israel. It is possible that the species breeds in Israel only in years with vole eruptions. There is a lack of comprehensive surveys in potential nesting areas such as the Golan Heights, the Northern Valleys and the Judean Lowlands.

The quality habitats, in which nesting Short-eared Owls were found in recent years (mostly in the Judean Lowlands) should be preserved. There is need of comprehensive surveys to determine the possibility of its presence in areas where it once nested, such as the Golan Heights, the Jordan Valley and the Judean Lowlands. Also, data regarding interactions between Short-eared Owls and other raptor species should be researched. Nest boxes for Barn Owls and Common Kestrels should not be put in Short-eared Owl nesting areas.

• פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.

• Mendelssohn, H. 1975. Report on the Status of Some Bird Species in Israel in 1974. I.C.B.P. 12:265-270.
• Shirihai, H., 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
• Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
• Species page at Birdlife International