Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus

This tiny owl is common and widespread across coniferous and mixed species forests of Canada and the United States. However, its nocturnal habits and secretive behavior means that sightings remain rare and the species is not particularly well-studied.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small, compact owl with a large, rounded head and no ear tufts. Its upperparts are brown with white spots, while the underparts are primarily white with brown streaks. The facial disc is pale with a distinctive Y-shaped white marking between the large yellow eyes.

Both sexes are similar in appearance, though females are generally much larger. Juveniles have a chocolate-brown plumage with a distinctive white V on the face, which changes to adult coloration after their first year.

Size

Length

17cm to 21cm

Wingspan

42cm to 56cm

Weight

65g to 125g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Buff Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Northern Saw-whet Owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Northern Saw-whet Owls inhabit dense coniferous and mixed forests across North America, from southern Alaska to southern Canada and throughout much of the northern United States. They prefer mature forests with a dense understory, often near water bodies.

During winter, some populations migrate southward, while others remain year-round residents. In the United States, they can be found in suitable habitats across the northern states and at higher elevations in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.

The states with the highest recorded concentrations include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Elevation Range

1,900 to 3,100 metres

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

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