Long or Short-eared (1 Viewer)

[Phil133]

Long or Short-eared Owl

Taken yesterday evening in the South Pennines in falling snow. I first thought this was a Shorty but looking at it on the monitor I'm unsure. The only way I know how to ID between the two is eye colour, poor light, heavy crop means the eyes aren't clear enough.

I have photos of both Short and Long-eared Owls from this area so it could well be either.

As well as ID, I would be very interested to know how its possible to tell the two apart when eye colour ID isn't possible.

Thanks, Phil

 

[KGS]

Short-eared. Check wing-tip pattern

 

[Phil133]

Short-eared. Check wing-tip pattern

Thanks but I'm still confused as to how to tell, the link below (I can't seem to post images direct from Flickr??) is of a Long-eared Owl and the wing tip pattern looks the same

Long Eared Owl by Phil D, on Flickr

 

[KGS]

Thanks but I'm still confused as to how to tell, the link below (I can't seem to post images direct from Flickr??) is of a Long-eared Owl and the wing tip pattern looks the same

Long Eared Owl by Phil D, on Flickr

I still think there is a difference. Coarser barring, and more black at the tip of the primaries on the SEO. White trailing edge of secondaries no SEO is also good, but hardly visible in your pic.

 

[Phil133]

I still think there is a difference. Coarser barring, and more black at the tip of the primaries on the SEO. White trailing edge of secondaries no SEO is also good, but hardly visible in your pic.

I'm not disagreeing I have a lot of respect for you birders that can ID at a glance from distance, I'm just struggling to see it.

Edit just to add they are both my pictures

 

[Phil133]

Here's a shot of a Short-eared owl I took in the same pose as the one I've linked to Flickr, apart from the white on the trailing edge of the wing, I'm struggling to tell the difference in wing pattern between the two.

Thanks for bearing with me on this

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Here's a shot of a Short-eared owl I took in the same pose as the one I've linked to Flickr, apart from the white on the trailing edge of the wing, I'm struggling to tell the difference in wing pattern between the two. And on Long-eared the barred is restricted to the distal part of the outer primaries.

Thanks for bearing with me on this

Phil,

If you look closely the tips of the outermost primaries of your bird they are darker but the difference is more obvious when comparing the underwing of the two species. And in Long-eared barring is restricted to the distal part of the outer primaries.


Short-eared

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/1920/t/91556.aspx

Long-eared

http://www.arkive.org/long-eared-owl/asio-otus/image-G41154.html

Grahame

 

[Phil133]

Phil,

If you look closely the tips of the outermost primaries of your bird they are darker but the difference is more obvious when comparing the underwing of the two species. And in Long-eared barring is restricted to the distal part of the outer primaries.


Short-eared

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/1920/t/91556.aspx

Long-eared

http://www.arkive.org/long-eared-owl/asio-otus/image-G41154.html

Grahame

Thanks for the links Grahame, looking at this and shots I've taken in the past, this does look more Shorty than Long, cheers

 

[rafnuss]

Looking a the Collins, the easier features (white edge on the wings, broad bar on tail, pale belly) are not really visible. Left the general longer winged impression (no obvious in the photo) and the outer wings pattern (mention by KGS). So I agree, it's not easy, but it does look more SEOW to me.