The Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) is a medium-sized, slender owl recognized by its long ear tufts, orange facial disks, and mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage. In Arizona, it is an uncommon and somewhat secretive resident and winter visitor, favoring dense riparian woodlands, thickets, and groves near open grasslands or agricultural fields where it hunts primarily at night. Breeding occurs locally in suitable habitats, often in abandoned stick nests of crows or hawks, with the highest nesting activity in northern and eastern parts of the state. During migration and winter, small groups may roost communally in dense vegetation, sometimes with remarkable site fidelity. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, especially voles and mice, supplemented by small birds. Although listed as Least Concern globally, Long-eared Owls in Arizona are vulnerable to habitat loss from riparian degradation, removal of mature trees, and changes in prey availability, making their continued presence dependent on the preservation of both foraging areas and dense roosting cover.
