Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Identification
- small, short bodied, broad wings, short tail, overly large head with no ear tufts
- plummage is fluffy and ranges in colour for brownish to reddish brown streaked with white on the belly and spotted on the back; facial disc had white and brown radials around the edge which fade to white around the eyes
- Immature: upper parts are completely dark brown, underparts bright golden, white Y on face between eyes
- large yellow eyes, black bill
- flight feathers are spotted white
- head is brownish to grey brown and covered with white streaks
- The Saw-Whet is strictly nocturnal bird, with activity beginning late dusk. During the day, they roost in foliage close to the ground
- Flight is rapid and wood-pecker like
Length: 18-21 cm
Wingspan: 42-48 cm
Weight: 2.3-5.3 oz (65-151g)
Habitat
Saw-Whet Owls prefer to live in coniferous and deciduous forests that contain thickets of second growth or shrubs. They mainly inhabit deciduous forests because woodpeckers create cavities for the Saw-Whets to roost and nest. Their breeding habitat tends to be swampy or wet areas, riparian zones are preferred. The Saw-Whets tend to inhabit the peninsulas of the province.
Food
Saw-Whet's mainly hunt at dusk and dawn, using the 'sit and wait' tactic dropping down on their unsuspecting prey. If food sources are plentiful, the saw-whet will kill up to 6 deer mice (their preffered meal) in one night and store them away for the winter months. They feed entirely on small mammals and sometimes small birds. Sometimes, if other food sources are scarce, they have been known to eat frogs and insects.
* Other mammals include: squirrels, moles, bats, flying squirrels, and house mice
* Small birds include: swallows, sparrows, chickadees, and kinglets
The Saw-Whet has many natural predators, mainly raptors such as larger owls, coopers hawk, and the northern goshawk
* Other mammals include: squirrels, moles, bats, flying squirrels, and house mice
* Small birds include: swallows, sparrows, chickadees, and kinglets
The Saw-Whet has many natural predators, mainly raptors such as larger owls, coopers hawk, and the northern goshawk
Nesting
Courtship:
Males will fly in circles above the female calling for her or he will take her directly to the nesting site which he had already chosen. The male will land near her on the branch and begins a complex series of bobbing and shuffling towards her. Because of their nomadic nature, they are unlikely to keep the same mate and nesting site the next year.
Nesting:
The Saw-Whet nests in old woodpecker holes or in natural cavities in the trees, they will also readily use nesting boxes. Nesting occurs between the months of March and July. They lay 3-7 eggs at periods of 1-3 days which the female incubates for 21-28 days while the male brings food. The Young birds fledge at 4-5 weeks but the parents still care for the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Males will fly in circles above the female calling for her or he will take her directly to the nesting site which he had already chosen. The male will land near her on the branch and begins a complex series of bobbing and shuffling towards her. Because of their nomadic nature, they are unlikely to keep the same mate and nesting site the next year.
Nesting:
The Saw-Whet nests in old woodpecker holes or in natural cavities in the trees, they will also readily use nesting boxes. Nesting occurs between the months of March and July. They lay 3-7 eggs at periods of 1-3 days which the female incubates for 21-28 days while the male brings food. The Young birds fledge at 4-5 weeks but the parents still care for the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Calls
The Saw-Whet tends to vocalise during the breeding season only, March through May. The courtship call is a monotonous whistled "hoop" which can be emmited at 1.5 notes per second for several hours and territorial calls are a series of short clear notes. Their name derives from the sound the Saw-Whet makes when it's alarmed in their nests, sounding like the whetting of a saw.
To here the Saw-Whet Owl, click HERE!
To here the Saw-Whet Owl, click HERE!
Range/Distribution
The Saw-Whet is a resident of an area ranging from south-east Alaska across Canada south to California and New Mexico in the west, and Pensylvania in the east. In the winter, some migrate south to Mexico and North Carolina.
View Bird Observations Map
View Distribution Map
View Bird Observations Map
View Distribution Map
Conservation
Saw-Whet's mortality rate in the wild is very high since they compete with Boreal Owls, squirrels, and starlings for nest cavities.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
Interesting Facts
- The Saw-Whet weighs about the same as an American Robin
- It has sometimes been known to fly down and perch on the head of human onlookers
Want to Know More?
Check Out:
Project Owlnet
http://www.projectowlnet.org/
Talk about Wildlife
http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=171
Project Owlnet
http://www.projectowlnet.org/
Talk about Wildlife
http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=171