Saw-Whet Owl
Saw Whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
The Northern Saw-Whet Owl is a small owl. Adults are 18cm long with a 43 cm wingspan. They have a large round light grey face with brown streaks, a dark beak and yellow eyes. The lower part of their body is pale with dark streaks; the upper part of their body is brown with white spots.
Their breeding habitat is coniferous forests, sometimes mixed or deciduous woods, across North America. They nest in a tree cavity, usually one created by a woodpecker. They will sometimes use nesting boxes. Some are permanent residents; others may migrate south in winter or move down from higher elevations.
These birds wait on a low perch at night and swoop down on prey. They mainly eat small rodents; on the Pacific coast, they may also eat crustaceans and aquatic insects. Like many owls, these birds have excellent vision and exceptional vision in low light. This bird was named for its call, which is said to resemble a saw being sharpened with a whetstone. It is fairly common, but not always easy to spot.
What about this bird's appearance makes it difficult to spot?
