Northern Hawk-owl

Surnia ulula

With piercing yellow eyes and a falcon-like silhouette, this unusual owl hunts by day across the northern forests of North America and Eurasia.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Northern Hawk-owl is a medium-sized owl with a long tail and pointed wings, giving it a hawk-like silhouette.

Its upperparts are dark brown with white spotting, while the underparts are white with dense brown barring. The facial disc is pale with a black border. The bill is hooked and yellow, and the feet are feathered with black talons.

Both sexes look similar, although females are noticeably larger, with no seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles resemble adults but have a less distinct facial pattern and softer, fluffier plumage.

Size

Length

36cm to 43cm

Wingspan

69cm to 84cm

Weight

220g to 350g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Grey Black

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Northern Hawk-owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Northern Hawk-owl can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Northern Hawk-owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Northern Hawk-owls inhabit boreal forests and taiga regions across North America and Eurasia. They prefer open coniferous or mixed woodlands with clearings and forest edges for hunting.

Perches for hunting and open meadows for catching prey are both important. Burned forest environments are also popular, with deadwood snags and an increased number of abandoned woodpecker cavities presenting useful nesting possibilities.

In North America, they are found mainly in Alaska and Canada. During irruption years, they may venture further south into the northern United States, attracting birdwatchers with their unusual daytime activity.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,650 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Boreal

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Hawk-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