Short-eared owls are buff with intricate dark brown streaks and marks. Length: 34-38 cm (13.5 - 15 inches). They have a widespread distribution across the Falkland Islands but are relatively rare. They are most successful on offshore tussac islands where they have access to petrels. They also take small rodents and insects.

Nests are constructed in thick grass or below tussac grass. Two eggs are laid from late September to early October. (Woods 1988).

Asio flammeus sandfordi is restricted to the Falkland Islands and recognised as a distinct race, but there are around eight races of Asio flammeus around the world. They occur as far south as Tierra del Fuego on neighboring South America.

Sources include: Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods.

Photographic credits: Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com, Maddocks

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