A tiny secretive owl, only 7–8 inches tall. Their high-pitched repeated "toot-toot-toot" calls in winter sound like a saw being whetted, hence the name.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern saw-whet owl is a species of small owl in the family Strigidae. The species is native to North America. Saw-whet owls of the genus Aegolius are some of the smallest owl species in North America. They can be found in dense thickets, often at eye level, although they can also be found some 20 ft (6.1 m) up. Saw-whets are often in danger of being preyed upon by larger birds of prey. The northern saw-whet owl is a migratory bird without any strict pattern.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern saw-whet owl Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Very small, large-headed owl with no ear tufts, a reddish-brown body streaked below, white V-marks on the face, and bright yellow eyes; juveniles rich rufous with a white facial triangle.
Similar species. Boreal Owl is larger with a black-framed face and pale bill; the saw-whet is smaller with a dark bill and a softer face.
Voice. A monotonous series of evenly spaced, whistled 'too-too-too' notes (likened to a saw being whetted); given persistently on late-winter nights.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small mammals, birds, insects; hunting style varies by species.
Behavior. A tiny, tame nocturnal owl of dense forest; migrates farther and in larger numbers than long suspected, revealed by banding. Roosts hidden in conifers by day.
§ Range
Across boreal Canada and northern US; winters into the southern US
§ Habitat
Dense coniferous and mixed forests
§ Threats
Forest fragmentation, climate-driven boreal shifts, secondary rodenticide poisoning.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern saw-whet owl is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support northern conifer forest. Skip rodenticides. Visit owl banding stations in autumn.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern saw-whet owl
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Aegolius acadicus
- IUCN Red List — search for Aegolius acadicus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Aegolius acadicus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
