Welcome to 'Owls of the Niagara Region'
Here you'll find in-depth information about the different species of Owls found within Niagara, as well as links to lots of other amazing information about these graceful birds of the night and ways to conserve our natural environment and therefore prevent further risk towards the existence of the Owls.
There are 8 species of Owls that are found in the Niagara, some which inhabit the area year-round and other which use the Niagara area as a winter nesting ground. Unfortunately, 2 of these 8 species have now been placed on the Ontario list of 'Species at Risk:' The Eastern Barn Owl and the Short-Eared Owl.
There are 8 species of Owls that are found in the Niagara, some which inhabit the area year-round and other which use the Niagara area as a winter nesting ground. Unfortunately, 2 of these 8 species have now been placed on the Ontario list of 'Species at Risk:' The Eastern Barn Owl and the Short-Eared Owl.
Priorities for Conservation
1. Protect the preferred and natural habitat in which certain species use to nest and roost.
2. Protect the surrounding areas that Owl species use as hunting areas, leave them in their natural state to promote biodiversity of the area and therefore healthiness and productiveness of owl populations (a messy ecosystem is a healthy ecosystem, this does not mean littering!)
3. Retire marginal agricultural land to allow the biodiversity of the area to increase again, and therefore attract different wildlife species, such as owls, to a new and sustainable area.
Other important Conservation Tips:
* In the case of the barn owl, don’t tear down old barns and silos since they make perfect nesting and roosting sites, or put in owl/bird nesting boxes around your agricultural property, and in your working barns.
* Report any sighting of the Barn Owl, or the Short-eared owl to Birds Studies Canada so that they can continue to monitor these populations in order to make better strategies to help these creatures become self-sustaining once again.
Quick Guide to Owl Species...
Barred Owl
Strix Varia
The Barred Owl is one of the larger owls found in this area. The Barred has a distinctive grey and brown colour pattern and is commonly characterised by the barred pattern across the neck and lenghtwise streaks down the torso.
It's call has a distinctive sound to it, saying "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all."
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: forested areas and wooded swamps
Food: small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles
Nesting: In cavities of deciduous trees, abandoned nests of other large birds of prey, and sometimes nesting boxes
Range: Canada east of the Rockies, south to Hondura
The Barred Owl is not a species of any special conservation concern, and in most cases population numbers are continuing to rise.
To find out more about the Barred Owl, click HERE!
It's call has a distinctive sound to it, saying "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all."
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: forested areas and wooded swamps
Food: small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles
Nesting: In cavities of deciduous trees, abandoned nests of other large birds of prey, and sometimes nesting boxes
Range: Canada east of the Rockies, south to Hondura
The Barred Owl is not a species of any special conservation concern, and in most cases population numbers are continuing to rise.
To find out more about the Barred Owl, click HERE!
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is the smallest of the Owls in this area. The adult owl has a white face outlined in brown, with a white and brown streaked body. The Young Saw-Whet has a dark brown body with a distinctive white 'V' between its eyes. The Saw-Whet is perceived as a 'tame' owl since their defence is to sit as still as possible.
It's call can only be heard during breeding season and is an endless succession of 'too, too, too, too, too...' and can last for hours without a break.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: all types of forested areas, likes thickets for winter roosting and dense forests in the summer
Food: Small mammals, mainly mice and possibly small birds and insects
Nesting: Nests in tree cavaties and old woodpecker holes, as well as nesting boxes
Range: SE Alaska, Canada, W and NE United States to Central Mexico
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is not a species of any special concern in Ontario
To find out more about the Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Click HERE!
It's call can only be heard during breeding season and is an endless succession of 'too, too, too, too, too...' and can last for hours without a break.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: all types of forested areas, likes thickets for winter roosting and dense forests in the summer
Food: Small mammals, mainly mice and possibly small birds and insects
Nesting: Nests in tree cavaties and old woodpecker holes, as well as nesting boxes
Range: SE Alaska, Canada, W and NE United States to Central Mexico
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is not a species of any special concern in Ontario
To find out more about the Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Click HERE!
Short-Eared Owl
Asio Flammeus
The Short-Eared Owl is the most readily observed of all the owls since it often begins its nightly hunt in the late afternoon. It also frequents open country like fields and marshes instead of forests like many of the other owls. It is a sandy brown colour, with dark face disks, and has dark marks at the wrist and wingtips which are very visible while in flight.
The Short-Eared is relatively quiet, but when the male is making a flight display it calls like a steam-engine 'voo-hoo-hoo.' Both genders make a hoarse 'cheeaw' when disturbed.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Open country, such as prairies and meadows
Food: small mammals, occasionaly small birds
Nesting: Nests on the ground
Range: Nearly worldwide
The Short-Eared Owl has been placed on Ontario's Special Concern List.
To find out more about the Short-Eared Owl, Click HERE!
The Short-Eared is relatively quiet, but when the male is making a flight display it calls like a steam-engine 'voo-hoo-hoo.' Both genders make a hoarse 'cheeaw' when disturbed.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Open country, such as prairies and meadows
Food: small mammals, occasionaly small birds
Nesting: Nests on the ground
Range: Nearly worldwide
The Short-Eared Owl has been placed on Ontario's Special Concern List.
To find out more about the Short-Eared Owl, Click HERE!
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
The great horned owl is probably the most widely recognised owl since it is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America. They occupy anywhere from the Arctic Tundra to Tropical Rainforests, and deserts to backyards. It is a very large owl, one of the largest, and is named for its distinguishable ear tufts.
The Great Horned makes the stereotypical owl 'Hoot,' calling out to other nocturnal animals "Who's awake? Me too!" with a distinguishable difference between the male and female.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Found in many different types of habitats, but they tend to prefer open woodlands
Food: Eat any animals, ranging from small mammals to larger birds and mammals. They are the only animals to regularly eat skunks.
Nesting: Nests anywhere from trees to cliffs to buildings. And will also take over other birds nests.
Range: Found throughout North America and in areas of Central and South America.
The Great Horned Owl is not a species of special concern, and populations continue to grow and flourish.
To find out more about the Great-Horned Owl, Click HERE!
The Great Horned makes the stereotypical owl 'Hoot,' calling out to other nocturnal animals "Who's awake? Me too!" with a distinguishable difference between the male and female.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Found in many different types of habitats, but they tend to prefer open woodlands
Food: Eat any animals, ranging from small mammals to larger birds and mammals. They are the only animals to regularly eat skunks.
Nesting: Nests anywhere from trees to cliffs to buildings. And will also take over other birds nests.
Range: Found throughout North America and in areas of Central and South America.
The Great Horned Owl is not a species of special concern, and populations continue to grow and flourish.
To find out more about the Great-Horned Owl, Click HERE!
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
The Barn Owl is an owl which is found on every continent of the world except for Antartica. One of the most famous owls, the barn owl was featured on the hit child T.V. show Zoboomafoo with the Kratt Brothers as Moonface. It is a medium sized owl, with a white underside and a heart shaped white face, and is one of the only owls with dark eyes.
The call of the Barn Owl is very distinctive, it is a very long and drawn out hissing like scream.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Open habitats, such as grasslands and and farms
Food: Small mammals, mainly small rodents
Nesting: The barn owl likes to nest in buildings, hence it's name, but nesting sites are also found in cliff cavities and hollow trees
Range: Found on every continent, except Antartica and Oceanic Islands
The Barn Owl is classified as an Endangered Species in Ontario.
To find out more about the Barn Owl, Click HERE!
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
The Snowy Owl is the most distinct owl of Canada. It spends the summer months of the year in the Arctic Tundra where it breeds, but migrates down to occupy southern Canada, northern United States, Russia and northern Europe for the winter months. It is a white bird to blend in with its snowy surroundings, and often has some dark barrings. As the Snowy Owl ages, it becomes whiter and loses some of its dark markings.
In the winter, the Snowy Owl is a very silent and graceful creature. But when needed, it lets out a large and powerful 'hoot' and a series of 'clicks.'
Quick Guide
Habitat: Open areas in the tundra, and winters in open fields
Food: Small mammals (lemmings are their favourite)
Nesting: On the ground, the female forms a round depression
Range: Winters in the Arctic Tundra, and winters in southern Canada to the Northern United States
The Snowy Owl is not considered a species of any special concern, although population sizes are difficult to measure.
To find out more about the Snowy Owl, Click HERE!
In the winter, the Snowy Owl is a very silent and graceful creature. But when needed, it lets out a large and powerful 'hoot' and a series of 'clicks.'
Quick Guide
Habitat: Open areas in the tundra, and winters in open fields
Food: Small mammals (lemmings are their favourite)
Nesting: On the ground, the female forms a round depression
Range: Winters in the Arctic Tundra, and winters in southern Canada to the Northern United States
The Snowy Owl is not considered a species of any special concern, although population sizes are difficult to measure.
To find out more about the Snowy Owl, Click HERE!
Long-Eared Owl
Asio otus
The Long-Eared Owl is a very secretive bird, even though they are widespread and common they are very rarely seen. A medium sized bird, with brown markings and an orange facial disk, the Long-Eared Owl has the tell-tale large ear tufts.
The long-eared owl call is a characteristic 'hoot' which is repeated every couple seconds.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Dense forests which edge open fields or forests
Food: Small mammals
Nesting: Takes over the nests of other birds
Range: North America, Eurasia, and Northern Africa
The Long-Eared Owl is not a species of any special concern in Ontario.
To find out more about the Long-Eared Owl, Click HERE!
The long-eared owl call is a characteristic 'hoot' which is repeated every couple seconds.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Dense forests which edge open fields or forests
Food: Small mammals
Nesting: Takes over the nests of other birds
Range: North America, Eurasia, and Northern Africa
The Long-Eared Owl is not a species of any special concern in Ontario.
To find out more about the Long-Eared Owl, Click HERE!
Eastern Screech Owl
Otus asio
The Eastern Screech Owl is the most commonly heard owl since it occupies practically any habitat in Southern Canada and the United States, includiing rural and urban areas. They are a very small owl with two colour morphs: the grey phase and the red phase.
The Eastern Screech has two common calls, a whinny and a trill.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Found anywhere with trees
Food: songbirds, earthworms, insects, and small mammals
Nesting: Nests in tree cavities, and readily uses nesting boxes
Range: Southern Canada and Eastern United States
The Eastern Screech is not a species of special concern in Ontario.
To find out more about the Eastern Screech Owl, Click HERE!
The Eastern Screech has two common calls, a whinny and a trill.
QUICK GUIDE:
Habitat: Found anywhere with trees
Food: songbirds, earthworms, insects, and small mammals
Nesting: Nests in tree cavities, and readily uses nesting boxes
Range: Southern Canada and Eastern United States
The Eastern Screech is not a species of special concern in Ontario.
To find out more about the Eastern Screech Owl, Click HERE!
Interested in some more Information?
Click here!
2009