Long-eared Owl? Toronto, Ontario (1 Viewer)

[bicchawla]

Spotted this one today at Downsview Park today in Toronto... I'm still new to owl identification and just want to make sure I'm not mistaking this for a Great Horned.

Thanks as always.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
your bird looks exactly=100% like a Long-eared Owlin Europe. So I feel confident to comment,even if your bird is from the US.

Edit: in Europe, I would write: please note

• warm face cycle in contrast to colder plumage
• white eye-brows and dark area below the eye, resulting in an good lokking face for this species. Not like a Short eared Owl, who gives the impression of not enough sleep and beeing disturbed from sleeping.

 

[RafaelMatias]

LEO indeed! Nice.

(crossposted with Alex)

 

[KC Foggin]

It sure is and two great images of it.

 

[rkj]

AFAIK Great Horned Owl always has barring on the lower breast and belly. The combination of narrow streaks and bars seen on this bird is characteristic of Long-eared Owl.

 

[bicchawla]

Thank you, all!