Eared owls are known for the ear-like tufts sticking up from their head. These tufts are simply feathers and have no connection with hearing. Eared owls are very widespread, although there are only half a dozen species in the genus. Most of them are ground nesters, though the long-eared owl nests in trees. On rare occasions, short-eared owl will do this too.
Scientific name: Asio
The shading illustrates the diversity of this group - the darker the colour the greater the number of species. Data provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
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Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web