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Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicusOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)
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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 Aegolius acadicus
Length7 - 8.5 Inches
Wingspan18.5 Inches

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl: Small, large headed owl, brown upperparts, white underparts with thick brown stripes. Head has gray facial disk with white "Y” between eyes; lacks ear tufts. Bill is dark. Wings are brown with white spots. White undertail coverts. Direct, silent flight with fluttering wing beats.

● Song: "hoop", "skiew", "swEE"

● Foraging & Feeding: Northern Saw-whet Owl: Diet consists of insects, small rodents, moles, shrews, bats, birds, and frogs; can take prey near its own size; forages from low perches or by soaring along the edges of open parks and meadows.

● Breeding & nesting: Northern Saw-whet Owl: Four to seven white eggs are laid in a natural cavity or abandoned woodpecker hole. Incubation ranges from 26 to 28 days and is carried out by the female; male brings her food while incubating.

● Similar species: Northern Saw-whet Owl: Boreal Owl is slightly larger, has yellow or white bill, rectangular head, white facial disk, and is darker brown overall.

Flight Pattern

Bouyant flight., Fluttering wing beats.
Northern Saw-whet Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Northern Saw-whet Owl: Found from southern Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico; migrate to southern parts of range during winter, especially when food is scarce. Preferred habitats include dense coniferous or mixed hardwood forests.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common, Declining
MigrationIrregular
Weight2.6 Ounces