Nesting and Diet of Long-Eared Owls in Conifer Forests, Oregon

Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) nested in extensive stands of grand fir (Abies grandis) in northeastern Oregon. Nineteen of 20 nests were in dwarf-mistletoe brooms (Arceuthobium spp.) in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees. Young were raised at 70% of the nests, and brood size averaged 3.0. The northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) was the primary prey item both in frequency (56%) and biomass (74%). These observations differ from those reported previously for the Long-eared Owl in North America.