northern sawwhet owl (Aegolius acadicus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 7 inches Wingspan: 17 inches

• Small, nocturnal, predatory bird

• Large, rounded head

• Yellow eyes

• Brownish facial disks

• Dark bill

• Brown upperparts with large white spots

• Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks

• Sexes similar

Similar species:

The boreal owl is most likely to be confused with the northern saw-whet
owl but lacks brown in the face, has a pale bill, has a dark border to the
face and darker brown upperparts. Screech-owls have ear tufts. Pygmy-
owls have longer tails and different markings.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 4-7
Length of Incubation: 26-28 days
Days to Fledge: 27-34
Number of Broods: 1?
Diet: Mostly small mammals; lesser quantities of birds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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