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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Northern saw-whet owls are small birds found in North America. They are the smallest owl found in the east of the continent. They are successful hunters at night but spend the day being rather inconspicuous. Their broad range of distribution ensures its population’s security for some time to come.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Range

Scientific Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyStrigidae
GenusAegolius
Scientific NameAegolius acadicus

Northern Saw Whet Owl

The Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Northern Saw Whet Owl Size

Quick Information

Also Known AsKirkland’s owl, Queen Charlotte owl, saw-filer, Acadian own, whetsaw, sparrow owl, white-fronted owl, petite nyctale (French), tecolotito cabezon, lechucita cabezona (Spanish)
Similar toShort-eared owl
IdentificationSize: 6.7-8.7 inches (17-22 cm)

Wingspan: 16.5-22.2 inches (42-56.3 cm)

Weight: 1.9-5.3 oz (54-151 g)

Color: Whitish face with a white-spotted head, mottled brown body, dark colored beaks and yellow irises

RangeSoutheastern Alaska, most of mainland United States, Southern Canada and central mountains of Mexico
Subspecies
  • Queen Charlotte owl (A. a. brooksi)
  • Nominate subspecies (A. a. acadicus)
HabitatConiferous, deciduous and mixed forests
Sounds & CallsA repetitive short whistle-like tooting sound
LifespanCaptive: Up to 16-17 years

Wild: 7 years on average

DietSmall mammals, most commonly white-footed mouse and deer mouse, but also preys on shrews, voles, shrew-moles, juvenile squirrels, chipmunks and gophers; some small birds like chickadees, sparrows, and warblers are taken during migration
Adaptations
  • Excellent hearing ability because of vertically asymmetrical ears with different shapes of the ear openings
  • Plumage helps them to stay hidden from potential predators
  • Large wings and a small body aid it in flying higher and faster, escaping predators
  • Since they eat their prey whole, the indigestible parts like bones and fur are compressed into small 1 inch pellets which are then regurgitated every day
Mating SeasonApril to June
Clutch Size5-6 eggs, rarely 4-7
Incubation Period26-28 days
PredatorsGreat horned owls
IUCN Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Pictures

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Images

Behavior

Northern saw-whet owls are nocturnal and are at their most active at night. During this time they employ a ‘perch and pounce’ technique where they perch atop a high branch and swoop down on prey. They are a migratory bird.

Mating & Reproduction

Males arrive at their breeding territories and start calling out for females. Once a female reciprocates its interest, they engage in preening each other. They select a nest site typically at heights of 6.5 to 39 feet.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Nest

Juvenile Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Life-cycle

Hatchlings are born without eyesight and stay this way for about 10 days, during which time the females tend to them. Males bring food for the females, who then tears it up and feed the young. Chicks leave their nests at about 4-5 weeks of age and gain the ability to fly soon after. They get their adult plumage after the first molt at around 1 year old, around the same time they also become sexually mature.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Flying

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Pet

Interesting Facts

  • Despite their population in coniferous forests across North America, it is rather difficult to spot a northern saw-whet owl in the wild.
  • When alarmed they make a ‘skiew’ call similar to a saw being sharpened on a whetstone, thus earning them their name.
  • There is an estimated population of 200,000 to 600,000 individual northern saw-whet owls in North America.

References:

  1. https://www.owling.com/northern-saw-whet-owl-biology/
  2. https://www.owlpages.com/owls/species.php?s=3030
  3. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aegolius_acadicus/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_saw-whet_owl
  5. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl/lifehistory
  6. http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

Published on March 10th 2017 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 9th May 2023.

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