Short-eared Owl

A cosmopolitan, widespread species, occupying 5 continents. It breeds in almost the entire Holarctic, generally above 35ºN; but is present also in much of South America. The wintering range of Holarctic populations covers the southern half of North America, Western Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of Africa and South Asia (BirdLife International, 2024).

Its migratory behavior varies from strictly migratory (in the northernmost populations), to nomadic or sedentary (König and Weick, 2008). In Malta it is present as a migrant during post-breeding migration in late Autumn, early winter and during pre-breeding migration in spring (March-April). A small wintering population (up to 15 individuals) exists in protected garrigue/maquis areas.

Being a highly nomadic and opportunistic species, a pair originating from the wintering population sometimes lingers on and breeds in Malta, with regular breeding recorded since 2016.

Threats include poaching, deliberate disturbance by humans and hunting dogs, noise and light pollution, both during migration, wintering and breeding.