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Northern Hawk Owl

Surnia ululaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)

Northern Hawk Owl Portrait
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General

Northern Hawk Owl: Medium-sized, slender owl with white-spotted brown upperparts and brown-barred white underparts. Gray facial disk is partially bordered by a thick, brown stripe that extends to upper breast; lacks ear tufts. Wings are long and relatively pointed. Tail is long and rounded. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Northern Hawk Owl: Found across Canada and central and eastern Alaska. During winter months, there is some southward movement to the northernmost states. Prefers edges of burns, open areas cleared by lumbering, and sparse woodlands.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

Rolling trilling, 2-syllable whistle, killy-killy-killy-killy.

Interesting Facts

 The Northern Hawk Owl is also known as the Canadian Owl and Hudsonian Hawk Owl.

 They have little fear of humans, and will attack if their young are approached too closely.

 Their feathers are stiff, unlike those of nocturnal owl species. This means their flight is not completely silent.

 A group of owls has many collective nouns, including "a bazaar of owls", "a glaring of owls", "a parliament of owls", "a stooping of owls", and a "wisdom of owls."



Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Northern Hawk Owl
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Surnia ulula
Length14.5 - 17.5 Inches
Wingspan33 Inches

Northern Hawk Owl

Northern Hawk Owl: Medium-sized, slender owl with white-spotted brown upperparts and brown-barred white underparts. The gray facial disk is partially bordered by a thick, brown stripe that extends to the upper breast; lacks ear tufts. Wings are long and relatively pointed. Tail is long and rounded.

● Song: Rolling trilling, 2-syllable whistle, killy-killy-killy-killy.

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Hawk Owl: Eats mostly voles and other small mammals; also takes birds, especially in winter; active during the day.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Hawk Owl: Three to thirteen white eggs are laid in an enlarged woodpecker hole, hollow in a stump, or abandoned raptor or crow nest. Incubation ranges from 25 to 30 days and is carried out by the female. Young can fledge at 25 to 35 days.

● Similar species: Northern Hawk Owl: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Swift low flight.
Northern Hawk Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Northern Hawk Owl: Found across Canada and central and eastern Alaska. During winter months, there is some southward movement to the northernmost states. Prefers edges of burns, open areas cleared by lumbering, and sparse woodlands.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationUncommon to rare, Remote from humans
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight10.5 Ounces