Long-eared owl (Asio otus)

The Long-eared owl (Asio otus)—known in Estonian as the Kõrvukräts—is perhaps the most enigmatic of our nocturnal predators. A master of disguise and a master of the hunt, it spends its days stretched thin against tree trunks, perfectly mimicking a broken branch, only to transform into a silent, orange-eyed ghost as soon as the sun dips below the horizon.

Based on the wildlife photography and field details from karits.eu, here is a look at this secretive forest dweller.

1. The “Ear” Illusion

The most striking feature of the Long-eared owl is its namesake “ears.” However, these long, feathery tufts have nothing to do with hearing.

• Mood Indicators: The tufts are used for communication and display. When the owl is relaxed, they may be flat; when it is alarmed or alert, it raises them high to break up the round silhouette of its head.
• True Hearing: Its actual ears are asymmetrical slits hidden beneath the feathers on the sides of its head. This asymmetry allows the owl to triangulate the exact location of a vole moving under deep snow or thick grass purely by sound.

2. The “Tall-Thin” Defense

If you are lucky enough to spot a Long-eared owl during the day, it will likely be in its “tall-thin” posture.

• The Vanishing Act: When it feels a threat (or a photographer) approaching, it elongates its entire body, pulls its feathers in tight, and squint-closes its eyes.
• The Bark Mimic: Combined with its incredibly complex pattern of buff, brown, and grey feathers, this pose makes the owl look like a vertical piece of bark or a snapped-off branch. It is a defense mechanism designed to hide them from larger predators like Goshawks or Great Horned Owls.

3. The Winter Commune

Unlike many other owls that are strictly solitary, Long-eared owls have a fascinating social side during the winter.

• Communal Roosts: In the colder months, they often gather in “roosts,” where up to 20 or even 50 owls may spend the day in a single group of dense conifers or thickets (often in cemeteries or parks).
• Safety in Numbers: This behavior is thought to provide better protection against predators and help the birds locate food sources in a harsh landscape.

📸 Photographer’s Perspective: Respecting the Ghost

Photographing a Long-eared owl is a privilege that comes with a high responsibility to minimize disturbance.

• Keep Your Distance: Because of their “tall-thin” defense, it is easy to think you aren’t bothering the bird because it isn’t flying away. In reality, if the owl is stretched thin and staring at you, it is stressed. Use a long telephoto lens (500mm+) to stay well back.
• Focus on the Orange Iris: The eyes of the Long-eared owl are a deep, fiery orange, contrasting beautifully with its facial disc. Try to capture the moment they open their eyes slightly; the color “pops” against the muted tones of the winter forest.
• High ISO and Low Light: Being strictly nocturnal, your best shots will often occur during the “blue hour.” Modern mirrorless cameras with excellent high-ISO performance are essential for capturing detail in these low-light conditions without using a flash (which should be avoided as it can disorient the bird).
• Search for the “Sign”: Don’t look for the owl first; look for the “whitewash” (bird droppings) and pellets at the base of dense spruce or cedar trees. If you find a pile of grey, furry pellets, look directly up—you might just see a pair of orange eyes looking back.

Quick Facts Table

Explore more intimate portraits of the Long-eared owl and other birds of prey at karits.eu.

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