Pueo (or Hawaiian owl) is the endemic race of short-eared owl asio flammeus sandwichensis that occurs on Hawaii.Short-eared owl have a worldwide range that covers North America South America, Eurasia, North Africa, Middle East, Pakistan and S China; the Caribbean, Falkland Islands, Galapagos, and Hawaiian Islands.
This photograph was taken on the Saddle Road en-route to Hakalau. One of two birds seen (the first was observed flying off with a large rodent), this bird duly obliged by sitting on a roadside fence post while we observed from the comfort of our 4x4 van. I can't say that there is any significant plumage variation to birds that I have seen in the UK, nor that it is unusual to see a short-eared owl during daylight - it was however a very good start to our day with Hawaii Forest and Trail.
