Friday Feathered Fact
The Short-eared Owl, as its name suggests, has only the tiniest hint of little tufts on the top of its head – quite dissimilar from its nearest cousin, the Long-eared Owl.  Short-eared Owls are crepuscular, meaning they hunt primarily during sunrise and sunset.  However, they can still often be seen hunting in the middle of the day.  Their preferred habitat is open grasslands and meadows where they glide and hover low over the grass as they listen for mice scurrying below.  Although these birds are found in North and South America as well as Europe and Asia, their populations are of concern.  Over the last 50 years, the population of these elegant owls has fallen by nearly 70%.