long-eared owl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical (zoology, ornithology), Semi-formal to Informal (birdwatching contexts)
Quick answer
What does “long-eared owl” mean?
A medium-sized owl species (Asio otus) characterized by prominent, elongated ear tufts that are actually feathers, not ears, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized owl species (Asio otus) characterized by prominent, elongated ear tufts that are actually feathers, not ears, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Often used metaphorically to describe someone who is very observant, listens intently, or appears wise and watchful, due to the owl's association with wisdom and its keen hearing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the term itself. The species has a near-global distribution, so the name is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, purely referential to the bird. In cultural contexts, owls broadly share similar connotations of wisdom and mystery.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to the species being a widespread and familiar breeding bird in Britain. In North America, it is common but may be less frequently mentioned in general discourse than the 'great horned owl'.
Grammar
How to Use “long-eared owl” in a Sentence
The long-eared owl [verbs: hunts, roosts, nests, calls] in/on [location].We observed/saw/photographed a long-eared owl.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “long-eared owl” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- A long-eared owl was roosting in the pine copse near the car park.
- The survey confirmed several breeding pairs of long-eared owl in the county.
American English
- A long-eared owl perched on the fence post at the edge of the field.
- We heard the long-eared owl's low hoots throughout the night.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers discussing avian species, behavior, or conservation.
Everyday
Used by birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, or in general descriptions of wildlife encountered.
Technical
Standard term in ornithological field guides, surveys, and research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “long-eared owl”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “long-eared owl”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long-eared owl”
- Writing 'long eared owl' without the hyphen (should be hyphenated).
- Confusing it with the 'great horned owl' (a larger, more powerful American species).
- Thinking the 'ears' are actual ears; they are feather tufts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not ears. They are feather tufts called 'plumicorns'. The actual ear openings are on the sides of its head, hidden by feathers.
Yes, the species has a wide distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including both the UK (resident breeder) and the US (widespread but local).
Its call is a low, resonant, single or double 'hoo' note, often repeated at intervals. It is less loud and hooting than a tawny owl's call.
Long-eared owls have longer, more prominent ear tufts, orange/reddish eyes, and prefer wooded areas. Short-eared owls have very short tufts (often invisible), yellow eyes, and hunt over open grasslands and marshes.
A medium-sized owl species (Asio otus) characterized by prominent, elongated ear tufts that are actually feathers, not ears, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Long-eared owl is usually technical (zoology, ornithology), semi-formal to informal (birdwatching contexts) in register.
Long-eared owl: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ɪəd ˈaʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ɪrd ˈaʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an owl with ears so long they look like long, feathery cat ears. 'Long-EARED' has 'EAR' right in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTENTIVENESS/ WISDOM IS HAVING LONG EARS (from the owl's prominent tufts and symbolic wisdom).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of the long-eared owl?