The Long-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl, smaller than a Woodpigeon. It often looks long and thin, with head feathers (known as ear tufts, even though they are not ears) which it raises when alarmed. It is light brown with darker brown streaks and deep orange eyes. It breeds widely across the UK with fewer birds in the southwest and Wales. Northern birds migrate southwards, including birds from Europe coming to spend the winter in the UK, while southern birds are residents and only move distances to find food.