Northern Saw-whet Owl Bird Facts (Aegolius acadicus)

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

Resident

Breeding

Passage

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Mexico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Costa Rica Guatemala United States of America

Species that pass through the area during migration

Canada

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

Bermuda Saint Pierre and Miquelon

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 Northern Saw-whet Owl demonstrates high agility, with its ability to navigate dense forests and perform precise, silent flights when hunting. Their compact size and ability to turn their heads 270 degrees in either direction contribute to their impressive manoeuvrability.

Strength 40

Strength

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

As a small owl species, the Northern Saw-whet Owl has limited strength compared to larger raptors. However, they are capable of capturing and carrying prey such as mice and voles, which is notable given their diminutive size.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

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

These owls show good adaptability, inhabiting various forest types across a wide range of elevations. Their ability to use artificial nest boxes and survive in both migratory and resident populations demonstrates flexibility in changing environments.

Aggressiveness 55

Aggressiveness

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

While generally not aggressive towards humans, Northern Saw-whet Owls display moderate aggression in hunting and defending their territory during breeding season. Their predation on small mammals and birds indicates a certain level of assertiveness.

Endurance 65

Endurance

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

The Northern Saw-whet Owl exhibits decent endurance, particularly during migration for some populations. Their ability to hunt throughout the night and survive in diverse climates from temperate to subarctic regions suggests moderate to good endurance levels.

Diet

Northern Saw-whet Owls primarily feed on small mammals, with deer and white-footed mice and voles forming the bulk of their diet. They also consume small birds, insects and occasionally bats.

Other prey items include large beetles and grasshoppers, squirrels, pocket gophers, chipmunks, and house and harvest mice.

These owls hunt by sitting motionless on low perches and using their excellent hearing to locate prey in the dark.

Behaviour

Northern Saw-whet Owls are nocturnal hunters, perching motionless on low branches before swooping down on prey. They are solitary outside the breeding season but may form loose winter roosts in dense coniferous trees.

These owls are known for their tameness around humans, often allowing close approach when discovered in daylight roosts.

Vocalisation

The most common call of the Northern Saw-whet Owl is a repetitive, monotonous 'too-too-too' whistle, given at a rate of about two notes per second. This call can continue for hours and is primarily used by males during breeding.

They also produce various other sounds, including a raspy, descending 'skiew' call when alarmed. Bill snapping is also heard as an alarm call when threatened.

Nesting & Breeding

Northern Saw-whet Owls typically breed between March and July. Males attract females with a repetitive tooting call and may offer food as part of courtship. Pairs are monogamous for the breeding season.

These owls nest in tree cavities, often those excavated by woodpeckers or in artificial nest boxes. Females lay 4-7 smooth white eggs, incubated solely by the female for about 28 days.

The male provides food for the female and nestlings. Young owls fledge at about 4-5 weeks old but continue to be fed by the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest. Typically, one brood is raised yearly, but if an initial clutch fails, they may attempt a replacement brood.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Northern Saw-whet Owl is currently listed as Least Concern, habitat loss due to deforestation and urban expansion poses a threat.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining mature forest habitats and providing artificial nest boxes to support breeding populations in areas where natural cavities are scarce.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

2,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Listen for their distinctive 'too-too-too' call at night, especially during spring
Search dense coniferous forests, particularly near water sources
Look for small, round whitewash marks on tree trunks as signs of roosting sites
Use playback calls cautiously to attract them, but limit use to avoid disturbance
In the US and Canada, join organized owl banding programs for close-up views

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Saw-whet Owl, Acadian Owl

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

7 years

Max Lifespan

17 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include larger owls such as Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls, as well as hawks, martens, and domestic cats in urban areas.

Did You Know?

Northern Saw-whet Owls can turn their heads 270 degrees in either direction.
They are one of the most common owls in North America, yet rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits.
Their name comes from their call, which early settlers thought resembled the sound of sharpening a saw on a whetstone.