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Northern Hawk Owl

Surnia ululaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest, Swamps, Scrub vegetation areas, Marshes



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Uncommon to rare, Remote from humans



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 13



Incubation Days:

25 - 30



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Uses large cavities in trees and abandoned squirrel, crow, and hawk nests.No added materials.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

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.

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.

Breeding and 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.

Foraging and Feeding

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

Vocalization

Northern Hawk Owl: Male advertisement call is a low "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo", repeated 10 to 200 times, with one note every two to three seconds. Female responds with a raspy buzz and often duets with the male. When alarmed, barks "whek-WHEK-whek" or shrieks like a cat or "killy-killy-killy-killy." Both sexes hiss during exchange of prey or when alarmed.

Similar Species

Northern Hawk Owl: None in range.

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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: "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo", "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