Long-eared owl Asio otus

Medium-sized owl of mostly conifer wood and heathland

Habitat: forests, woods and heaths

Resident, although patchily distributed; probably about a dozen pairs breeding in Essex

Buff and dark streaked owl, ear tufts, pale orange facial disk, orange eyes

Secretive, nocturnal species, sitting motionless in dense cover during the day

Eats small mammals

Nests in an old nest in a tree, such as a crow's nest

1 brood February to May; 4-5 white eggs

Tawny owls drive out this smaller species from their territories, and sometimes even kill them