In general, short-eared owls are widely distributed and abundant. Therefore, they are not a federally endangered species. However, in the Great Lakes region of the United States, conditions are
worse. This species is threatened by the diminishing area of marshes,
bogs, and open grasslands. Nesting habits and nomadism make this
species particularly vulnerable to habitat loss during any season. Due
to these factors, short-eared owls are endangered in Michigan,
Illinois, and Pennsylvania. They are also threatened in Minnesota and
of special concern in Indiana and Ohio. They are among the rarest
nesting owls in Michigan. There are no major efforts to help them
recover in these areas. (Granlund et al., 1994)