8.0 inches long. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small nocturnal predatory bird. It has a large rounded head with yellow eyes and a brownish face disk. It has white eyebrows that extend down toward the top of the bill giving the effect of a “Y” on the face. The upperparts are brown with large white spots. The underparts are pale with large dark irregular streaks.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a rarely seen migrant through the area. It may be seen anytime from October through February.
Although the Northern Saw-whet Owl is one of the most common owls in forested habitats across southern Canada and the northern United States, seeing Saw-whet Owls is difficult because they are secretive, nocturnal, and have irregular movement patterns. Many Saw-whet Owls move southward in winter, with large concentrations in spring and fall around the Great Lakes. Males provide almost all of the food for the female and young, whereas females incubate and brood the young. This is a hole-nesting species, so destruction of habitat, particularly nesting snags, represents its greatest threat. However, individuals take readily to nest boxes. The incessant male’s call during breeding sounds like a saw being sharpened or whetted. Its song is a one note whistle of “too, too, too, too, too”. It is silent outside of the breeding season.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Phil Swanson.