Short-eared owl

The Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) belongs to the order Strigiformes and the family Strigidae. Unlike many nocturnal owls, this species is frequently active during the day and twilight hours. They primarily inhabit open landscapes, such as grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields, where they hunt by flying low over the vegetation.

It is important to clarify that the short-eared owl is not a plant pest. It is a highly beneficial predatory species. In agriculture, these birds act as natural pest control agents, focusing their hunting efforts on small mammals, particularly voles and mice, which are major threats to commercial crops and stored grains.

The biology and lifecycle of the species are heavily dependent on the abundance of prey. They nest on the ground, usually hidden in tall grass or dense crop cover. During periods of high rodent populations, short-eared owls often congregate, providing a localized boost in biological pest control that can significantly reduce the need for synthetic chemical interventions.

There is no evidence of the short-eared owl causing damage to plant tissues, fruits, or roots. Their impact is strictly beneficial for the farmer. By consuming large quantities of field rodents, they help maintain the health of the ecosystem and protect crop yields from significant loss during the growing and storage seasons.

Conservation and agricultural management measures focus on protecting nesting grounds. To integrate this predator into a farming system:

• Avoid mowing or tilling fields during the nesting season.
• Reduce the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.
• Maintain buffer strips of native vegetation to support the prey base.