Description: This owl is most commonly seen late in the afternoon as it begins to move about in preparation for a night of hunting. Long-winged and with short ear tufts, this is an owl that rests on the ground or perches on small mounds or posts, and roosts in sheltered hollows. On the wing it flies easily, with regular, deliberate, deep wingbeats and slow glides, the wings forming a shallow V. It hunts in flight, often hovering briefly when it has sighted a victim. The owl seizes the prey in its feet and carries it elsewhere to be eaten Mice and voles are the main food, but like most owls this species will take any animal, from insects to moorhens and hedgehogs Occasionally several birds may be seen at once, an indication that small rodents are especially numerous below.

Range/Habitat: Breeds from Alaska across Canada, and south locally to California, Kansas and New Jersey. Winters in southern part of breeding range and south throughout United States to Central America. Also in South America and most of Old World. Habitat consists of freshwater and salt marshes; open grasslands, prairies, dunes; open country generally during migration.

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