02/13/2026
Winter is a great time to spot Short-Eared Owls, natural-born performers of the Mahicantuck / Ka’nón:no (Hudson River) Valley! To lure predators away from their nest, short-eared owls hobble on the ground to give the appearance of having an injured wing. During courtship, males swoop over nests flapping their wings to show off for potential mates. And when short-eared owls feel threatened or excited, they raise the feather tufts on the top of their heads (see above image), perhaps to aid in camouflage.
Short-eared owls are vulnerable to habitat loss, killed by collisions, and suffer from persecution, poisoning, and predation. You can help protect them by sponsoring an owl with the Owl Research Institute using the link in our bio! And remember to stay on trails and drive slowly around owl habitats.
Image description: An owl roosts in a field in front of a blue sky.
