Species Profile
In Pennsylvania, the long-eared owl is listed as threatened and protected under the Game and Wildlife Code. It is a "High Level Concern" species in the State Wildlife Action Plan. All migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The long-eared owl has a distribution that stretches around the globe, including the forested habitats of Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as North America. It is near its southern range limit in Pennsylvania, but occasionally occurs further south in the Appalachian Mountains and in migration.
The winter wren is strongly associated with hemlocks and is an indicator species for high quality forests. Look for this secretive bird in deep woods, particularly old growth conifers, where it forages in low shrubs, tangled roots of downed logs and shady ravines behaving “more like a mouse than a bird,” notes ornithologist Kenn Kaufman. The male’s song is a very loud and complex series of warbles and trills, one of the most remarkable of Pennsylvania bird songs. Foods include insects, spiders, small fish taken from stream shallows, and berries. In the East, winter wrens breed from Newfoundland south to Georgia in the Appalachians. They nest in cavities, and a brood of five to six young is the norm. Males may mate with more than one female. Populations in Pennsylvania have been growing in recent years according to breeding bird surveys with a more than twofold increase between the first and second atlas projects. Winter wrens head south in early fall, although some remain in the north and winter along streams and in swamps. Some are reported during Christmas Bird Counts in Pennsylvania.
The long-eared owl often is associated with a curious blend of habitats. Paradoxically, they nest in wooded areas, but forage in open country. So, they are usually found where there is a mix of woodland, fields, and wetlands. Long-eared owls generally nest in dense evergreen conifers. They forage in fields, meadows, open woods, wetlands, and edges nearby. This also is true in winter when they roost in dense conifer tree groves, often communally. The conifers offer good shelter, keeping the owls out of the wind and out of sight. The owls nest and roost in a variety of evergreen conifer trees, either native or exotic, ornamental species, often in a planted shelterbelt or windrow. Some conifer stands are natural post-fire growth typical of scrub barrens or successional pine woods. Others are erosion-control, or wind-break conifer belts. They also can be found in extensive forests, but often near an edge or where there is an open understory where they can find good foraging opportunities. Short ground vegetation also is a key habitat component that allows this owl good foraging opportunities. Many of the early ornithologists had the impression that this species was a deep forest owl, so that habitat may be less appreciated today than it deserves for this owl. There is a pattern of a few long-eared owls nesting at the site of a winter roost, so finding and protecting those roosts has the double benefits by protecting owls in multiple seasons.
The long-eared owl (Asio otis) often is considered an enigma by birders and ornithologists. It is shy, quiet, and secretive. This makes its population trends difficult to understand, but the species appears to be declining and is listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in other states. In Pennsylvania and nearby states, ornithologists' comments from the 1940s indicate that this species was more common then. Its decline may have begun several decades ago. Even after two Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas projects, the long-eared owl remains one of the state's most rarely encountered nesting species. It was one of the least-reported birds during Atlas surveys in 1983-1989 and 2004-2009. Volunteers found evidence of breeding in only 18 blocks during the first Atlas. During the second Atlas, it was discovered in only 14 of the nearly 5,000 survey blocks, with confirmed breeding in only 4 blocks. Christmas bird count data also suggest declines in wintering populations. The long-eared owl was "status undetermined" for many years in Pennsylvania, but was listed as a state threatened species in 2012. In recent years, volunteer monitoring of suitable habitat resulted in documentation and protection of several winter roosts in the Bucks, Lebanon and Adams counties.
The pattern and reasons for decline of long-eared owl are not fully understood because of the difficulty in detecting and monitoring this elusive species, but changes in long-eared owl habitat have probably contributed to its decline. The long-eared owl has declined regionally, where there has been a reduction in wooded habitat by development and conversion of softwood to hardwoods. There has been a trend away from small farms with a mix of woodlands, hedgerows, and fields in favor of mechanical farming techniques and "cleaner" farms that are less inviting to long-eared owls. Also, grasslands have been reduced in size and quality, so foraging opportunities for this owl have been reduced. The reduction in wind-rows and other densely vegetated woodlots near open areas have reduced the availability of roosting areas. This owl may be suffering the consequences of a general reduction in the conifer component of our woodlands. Long-eared owls are vulnerable to disturbance of roosts, so increased human activities around roosts have probably led to abandonment. Disturbed nests are vulnerable to a variety of nest predators: raptors, crows, and raccoons can be significant predators of nest, young, and adults.
Land restoration that improves foraging areas and sheltered woods nearby is the best way to protect and conserve long-eared owls. Erosion-control, grassland restoration, and shelter belt creation are methods that could enhance long-eared owl habitat. Some owl roosts and nests are associated with wetlands, so wetland conservation also benefits this species. In these ways, owl conservation is related directly to soil and water conservation. Planting and conserving stands of conifers near open areas may be the best way to advance long-eared owl conservation. It is important to avoid disturbance of nesting or roosting long-eared owls because they react badly to disturbance and nests may be abandoned or predated once disturbed. Placing nest baskets made out of wicker or plastic in some conifer groves has stimulated owls to nest at some locations. One of the most important factors for long-eared owl conservation is inventory and monitoring to identify areas critical to the species. Some long-eared owl nesting locations are probably being overlooked and not protected. Conducting searches for owls and following up searches with protections to locations should be important strategies for improving the chances for the long-eared owl to continue to be a part of the Pennsylvania wildlife community.
