Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl Information
Length: 7-8"
Habitat: Breeding habitat: A wide variety of woodlands including coniferous, mixed coniferous/deciduous, and deciduous. Prefers coniferous forests. Also, tamarack bogs and cedar groves.
Winter habitat: Similar to breeding habitat but may also include rural towns and suburban areas.
Diet: Mainly small mammals, especially deer mice but also other mice, voles, lemmings, shrews, juvenile squirrels, juvenile chipmunks, and occasionally small birds. Also consumes insects such as grasshoppers and beetles.
Song and calls of Northern Saw-whet Owl
Additional Information
Northern Saw-whet OwlPhotos, subspecies, description, habitat, food and feeding, breeding, movements and life span. (From Owling.com)
Northern Saw-whet Owl
By Kameron Perensovich on Flickr, CC
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Identification Tips
- 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
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
New England Range
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is found year round throughout New England.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Range Maps from Cornell
Northern Saw-whet Owl
nonbreeding and year-round range
Includes separate map of sightings.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS