MEASUREMENTS: The Boreal Owl has a body length of 8 - 11 inches, a wingspan of 19 - 25 inches, and weighs 3 - 7 ounces. HABITAT: Boreal Owls are circumpolar, occupying subalpine and northern, or boreal, forests around the globe. DIET: This owl is strictly nocturnal except during the 24-hour light during the summer at the northern extent of its range. This owl feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects, and can detect its prey under debris or snow by using its acute hearing. Boreal Owls sit and wait on a perch for prey and then swoop down upon it. REPRODUCTION: Boreal Owls nest in woodpecker holes, other natural tree cavities, or man-made nest boxes. The female lays 3 - 6 eggs. During high prey years, this owl may lay more eggs per clutch or have more than 1 clutch in a season. The eggs are incubated for 29 days and young owls fledge 4 - 5 weeks later, but do not gain independence for another 3 - 6 weeks. Birds are sexually mature and breed at 1 year of age. NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Greek word aigolios, which refers to a kind of owl, and from the Latin word for funeral, indicating the association with owls bringing bad omens or the call of the owl sounding like someone wailing for the dead. The common name is from the Greek word boreas, which means north wind and refers to the northern range of this owl. This bird has also been known as the Arctic Saw-whet Owl, Richardson’s Owl, and Funeral Owl. INTERESTING FACTS: Boreal Owls form pair bonds that only last one season. Depending on the prey population the Boreal Owl may be monogamous (1 male, 1 female), polygynous (1 male, 2 or more females) or polyandrous (2 or more males, 1 female). The Boreal Owl, like other northern species, will occasionally irrupt during the winter. This means that individuals in search of food move south beyond the species range.

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