Long-eared owl (Asio otus)

Body length: 35-49 cm
Wingspan: 90-100 cm
Body mass: males 220-300 g, females 250-420 g
Appearance: medium-sized owl with orange eyes and erect ”ears”.

Poland’s second-commonest owl, after tawny. Lives on forest edges, but also small areas of trees in farmland, and in cemeteries. Usually occupies old magpie or crow nests, but will also select wicker baskets placed up in trees. A food specialist, given that most of the diet is in the form of voles. Visible “ears” are merely feathers of no sensory function. Active in twilight or at night. A partially resident species.

Descriptions drawing on content of Ptaki Polski (“Birds of Poland”) - a book authored by Andrzej G. Kruszewicz, and published by MULTICO Oficyna Wydawnicza Sp. z o.o.