Boreal Owl Bird Facts (Aegolius funereus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Boreal Owl is a small, round-headed owl with a distinctive facial disk. Its upperparts are dark brown, spotted with white, while the underparts are whitish with brown streaks. The large, yellow eyes are set in a facial disk ringed by dark brown feathers, giving it a surprised expression.

Females are generally larger and darker than males. Juveniles resemble adults but have a darker facial disk and less distinct markings. The owl's plumage remains consistent year-round, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark.

Size

Length

21cm to 28cm

Wingspan

50cm to 62cm

Weight

90g to 194g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Pale Yellow

Leg Colour

White

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Boreal Owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Boreal Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Boreal Owls inhabit dense coniferous and mixed forests across the northern hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer mature forests with abundant tree cavities for nesting and roosting.

In North America, they are found in Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. During harsh winters, some individuals may move southward or to lower elevations for food, making them partial migrants.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Boreal Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Romania Russia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Turkey United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Hungary India Tajikistan The United Kingdom

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Boreal Owl demonstrates remarkable agility in its nocturnal hunting. Its ability to manoeuvre through dense forests, execute precise swoops to catch prey, and even locate and capture animals hidden under deep snow showcases exceptional aerial dexterity.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While small in stature, the Boreal Owl possesses surprising strength for its size. It can occasionally take prey larger than itself, indicating a respectable level of physical power. However, its strength is naturally limited by its compact build.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Boreal Owls exhibit impressive adaptability. They thrive in harsh northern climates, can hunt effectively even in deep snow, and adjust their hunting strategies based on prey availability. Their partial migratory behaviour in response to food scarcity further demonstrates their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Despite their small size, Boreal Owls are fierce predators. They fearlessly tackle prey that may be larger than themselves and defend their territories vigorously during breeding season. However, they're not typically aggressive towards larger animals or humans, preferring to rely on camouflage.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Boreal Owl's endurance is noteworthy, particularly considering its small size. It can survive in extremely cold climates and hunt actively throughout long winter nights. Its ability to undertake partial migrations when necessary also suggests good endurance. However, as a small bird, its overall stamina has natural limitations.

Diet

Boreal Owls primarily feed on small mammals, particularly voles and mice. They also consume small birds, insects, and occasionally amphibians. Other mammals commonly caught include gophers, squirrels, shrews, moles, chipmunks and bats.

They mainly hunt nocturnally, watching from perches. Their exceptional hearing allows them to locate prey beneath snow cover, making them efficient hunters even in harsh winter conditions.

Behaviour

Boreal Owls are primarily nocturnal, hunting under the cover of darkness. They employ a sit-and-wait strategy, perching motionless on low branches before swooping down on prey.

During the day, these owls roost close to tree trunks, relying on their cryptic plumage to avoid detection by potential predators.

Vocalisation

The Boreal Owl's primary call is a series of clear, hollow-sounding hoots, often described as 'po-po-po-po'. This call, reminiscent of a gentle ping-pong ball bouncing, is typically given by males during the breeding season. Females may respond with a higher-pitched, raspy call.

When alarmed, they produce a sharp, barking 'skiew' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Boreal Owls typically begins in late winter or early spring. Males attract females with their distinctive hooting calls and may offer food as part of courtship rituals.

These owls are cavity nesters, often using old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities. They do not build nests but may add fur or feathers to line the cavity. Females lay 3-6 white eggs, which are incubated for about 28 days.

The female remains with the young while the male provides food. Nestlings fledge after about 28-36 days but continue to be fed by parents for several weeks afterwards. Boreal Owls typically raise one brood per year.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Boreal Owls face threats from habitat loss due to logging and climate change.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving old-growth boreal forests and maintaining suitable nesting cavities. Monitoring programs are crucial for tracking population trends in this elusive species.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

730,000 - 1,810,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Listen for their distinctive 'po-po-po-po' call at night, especially during breeding season
Search for them in dense coniferous forests, particularly near clearings
Look for whitewash and pellets at the base of large trees to locate potential roosting sites
Use playback cautiously and sparingly to avoid disturbing the birds

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Tengmalm's Owl

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

7 to 8 years

Max Lifespan

15.9 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Boreal Owls include larger owls such as Great Horned Owls and Northern Goshawks, as well as martens and other arboreal mammals.

Did You Know?

Boreal Owls have asymmetrical ear openings, which helps them pinpoint the exact location of prey by sound alone.
They can catch prey hidden under 18 inches of snow, thanks to their exceptional hearing.
Despite their small size, Boreal Owls are known to take prey larger than themselves occasionally.

FAQs

What does the Boreal Owl symbolize?

The scientific name for the boreal owl, Aegolius funereus, gives a hint to the symbolism of this species - and it isn’t a particularly positive meaning. Aegolius means ‘bird of ill omen’ in Greek and funereus is Latin for ‘bearing ill’, linking the species with foreboding and bad news on the horizon.

How to attract Boreal Owls?

If you live within the breeding range of boreal owls and have some tall trees on your land, it may be worth putting up a purpose-built owl nesting box. Leave trees to grow, without pruning the foliage, so that maximum shade and shelter and perching spots are available.