Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Boreal Owl

Boreal Owl

Boreal owls are small owls found throughout the Holarctic region. They are members of the typical owls group, as opposed to the barn owl grouping.

Boreal Owl

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae
Genus Aegolius
Scientific Name Aegolius funereus

Quick Information

Also known as Tengmalm’s owl, Richardson’s owl
Description Size: 8.7-10.6 in (22-27 cm) in length

Weight: 3.3-7.6 oz (93-215 g)

Wingspan: 20-24 in (50-62 cm)

Color: Brown on the top with white spots on the shoulders; the underparts are whitish with streaks of rust; the eyes are yellow and the beak is light yellow; juveniles are chocolate brown

Sexual Dimorphism: Females much larger than males
Distribution & Subspecies
  • A.f funereus – Found from Scandinavia to Pyrenees in the south and the Urals to the east
  • A.f. richardsoni – From Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to Southeastern Canada and Northeast United States
  • A.f. pallens – From Tien Shan in China to Southeastern Siberia
  • A.f. caucasicus – Found in the Caucasus Mountains
  • A.f. magnus – Eastern Siberia to the Kamchatka Peninsula
  • A.f. sibiricus – Found throughout Siberia
  • A.f. beickianus – Northwestern India to Western China
Habitat  Lives in the taiga forests
Sounds & Calls A short ‘kew’ or ‘kip’
Lifespan 7-8 years
Diet Voles, mice, squirrels, pocket gophers, shrews, small birds, and insects
Adaptations
  • Both of the eyes face forward (a trait shared with other owls) giving them depth of vision in the night. The forward facing eyes also necessitates flexibility of the neck which they can turn either way up to 270°
  • One of the ear holes is placed a little higher than the other, helping them in better identifying the source of a sound
Predators Pine martens, larger owls and other raptors
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

Boreal Owl Baby

Boreal Owl Flying

Behavior

  • These birds are not social and spend their time by themselves even during the breeding season.
  • They are nocturnal, being active during the night.
  • They are not known to migrate, but sometimes do move south during fall.
  • Boreal owls make their nests in tree cavities made by woodpeckers.
  • When hunting, they perch on low branches locating prey; once located, they glide down to the ground and catch the prey with their talons.

Mating & Reproduction

Males start to sing to attract females around late winter and the beginning of spring. Courtship involves the male bringing food for the female. Clutches consist of 3-6 eggs which are incubated for 26-32 days.

Boreal Owl Images

Boreal Owls

Life-cycle

Hatchlings are blind and covered in down. The female stays with them while the male brings them food. The juveniles become able to leave the nest around a month after hatching. They reach sexual maturity after about 9 months of age.

Published on June 18th 2018 by under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2023 (Coniferous Forest). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.