Boreal Owl

Aegolius funereus

The haunting call of this small, round-headed hunter echoes through northern forests at night; a ghostly voice in the wilderness.

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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