A small owl of high-elevation and northern coniferous forests. Distinctive yellow eyes; nocturnal predator of small mammals.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The boreal owl or Tengmalm's owl is a small owl in the "true owl" family Strigidae. It is known as the boreal owl or, more rarely, Richardson's owl after Sir John Richardson, in North America, and as Tengmalm's owl in Europe and Asia, after the Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.
Source: Wikipedia — Boreal owl Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small, large-headed owl with a chocolate-brown facial disk boldly framed in black, white spotting on the forehead, a pale bill, and bright yellow eyes.
Similar species. Northern Saw-whet Owl is smaller with a dark bill and a face lacking the black frame; the Boreal's black-bordered facial disk is key.
Voice. A rapid, rising series of soft, even whistled toots, like a winnowing snipe — given mainly late winter nights.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small mammals, birds, insects; hunting style varies by species.
Behavior. A small, secretive owl of dense northern spruce-fir forest; nocturnal and rarely seen, hunting voles from low perches. Highly irruptive in some winters.
§ Range
Boreal Canada, Alaska; occasional US winter visitor
§ Habitat
Boreal coniferous forests
§ Threats
Boreal forest loss, climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the boreal owl is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support northern forest conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Boreal owl
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Aegolius funereus
- IUCN Red List — search for Aegolius funereus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Aegolius funereus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
