The short-eared owl has adapted its hunting behavior, transitioning from nocturnal to diurnal activity to enhance its success in catching prey. As carnivores, these owls can take down birds larger than themselves, such as the blue-footed boobies. On Genovesa Island, they primarily hunt storm petrels, which nest in deep caves among the rocks. The owls have developed the tactic of waiting for the petrels to enter or exit their nests, catching them by surprise. They are more commonly spotted on islands where the Galapagos hawk is absent.