also: こみみずく
short-eared owl
A medium-sized owl species (Asio flammeus) with small ear tufts, found in open habitats. The name is usually written in katakana.
In winter, short-eared owls can sometimes be seen in reclaimed land areas.
Short-eared owls start hunting actively in the evening.
Hiragana spelling, also used but less common than katakana for this species.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used. The reading コミミズク is assigned to this spelling.
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.
The Japanese name コミミズク literally means 'small-eared owl', from 小 (ko, 'small') + 耳 (mimi, 'ear') + 木菟 (mimizuku, 'horned owl'). The katakana spelling is standard for bird names.