Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

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Special Significance of the Species

Short-eared Owls were once common residents of prairie habitat in central Canada, and relatively common in grasslands, marshes, and tundra in other areas of North America. In the past century, populations in most parts of the species’ range have apparently declined. In much of the northeastern United States, they are typically listed as Endangered at the state level with few breeding pairs remaining.

Despite widespread recognition of significant population declines, there has been little management action directed towards Short-eared Owls.