Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The Partners in Flight Science Committee (2020a) estimate the global population to be approximately 2,300,000 individuals, which equates to 1,540,000 mature individuals. The European population is estimated at 84,900-142,000 pairs, which equates to 169,800-284,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International in prep.). Europe forms approximately 14% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 1,210,000-2,030,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. It is placed in the band 1,200,000-2,100,000
Trend justification
Population trends for this species are difficult to assess due to its nomadic nature and annual fluctuations, which make fixed-area surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey unreliable. However, using data from the Christmas Bird Count, the Partners in Flight Science Committee (2020b) estimated that there had been a 68.1% decline in North America during 1970-2017, equating to a 29.7% decline over 3 generations (14.49 years [Bird et al. 2020]). In Europe, the population trend is estimated to be fluctuating but stable in the long term (BirdLife International in prep.). The global population trend is therefore suspected to be declining at a rate of <20% over 3 generations.
Due to its nesting habits and nomadic nature, the species needs large tracts of suitable habitat and is vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation during any season. Key threats to their habitat include conversion of open habitats to agriculture (including drainage of land); conversion from mixed farming systems to specialised production; overgrazing; commercial and residential development; and afforestation (Wiggins et al. 2020). Wind-turbine developments may impact the species, and assessments of risk of these developments based on diurnal surveys alone may not be representative of the true scale of potential impacts (Calladine and Morrison 2012). Road traffic collisions may also pose a threat (Fernandez-Bellon et al. 2021). This species was shot historically - the current impact of this threat is unknown, but is likely to be much lower than it used to be (Wiggins et al. 2020). Pesticides have been implicated in the death of Short-eared Owls in Israel (Mendelssohn and Paz 1977), but they are not thought be causing significant declines. Skunks have been known to prey on eggs and nestlings (Melvin et al. 1989), and domestic feral cats and dogs may cause disturbance at nest sites (Tate 1992). Increased frequency of extreme weather events caused by climate change may magnify fluctuations in prey populations (Fernandez-Bellon et al. 2021).
Conservation actions underway
The species is listed under CITES Appendix II, EU Birds Directive Annex 1, Bern Convention Annex II and Raptors MoU Category 2. Monitored by systematic breeding bird surveys in at least 10 European countries (Derlink et al. 2018). Covered by North American Christmas Bird Count, with high reliability score. Also covered by North American Breeding Bird Survey, but with low reliability score. Monitored in at least parts of its range by the International Waterbird Census (>10 records received in >50% of the years that the census has been running in the relevant region).
Conservation actions needed
Establishing a long-term population monitoring program should be a priority. This should comprise annual monitoring of breeding and wintering abundance at sites that are known to be frequented by owls (Wiggins et al. 2020). Satellite tracking of individuals would provide valuable data on seasonal and annual movements.
Text account compilers
Haskell, L.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/short-eared-owl-asio-flammeus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.