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| MEASUREMENTS: The Northern Hawk Owl has a body length of 14 – 17 inches, a wingspan of 2 1/2 - 3 feet, and weighs 10 1/2 - 12 ounces. |
 HABITAT: The Northern Hawk Owl occupies northern forested habitats of the Northern Hemisphere. They can be found in forests with open bog areas, open mixed forests, and woodland edges. This owl may move south of its breeding range in winter if food supplies are low. |
| DIET: This owl feeds mostly on voles and other small mammals and birds. The Northern Hawk Owl hunts from an exposed perch. It will swoop down to catch prey, fly low over the ground in search of food, or hover above prey before dropping down upon it. |
| REPRODUCTION: The Northern Hawk Owl nests in hollows in stumps and trees, as well as the abandoned nests of hawks and crows. The female lays 3 - 10 or more eggs, depending on the size of the prey population. The eggs are incubated for 25 - 28 days. The young owls fledge from 3 1/2 - 5 weeks old and are independent at 11 weeks of age. |
| NAME DERIVATION: The genus name derivation is unknown, but the species name comes from Latin and is an imitation of an owl’s call. The common name is based on the physical and behavioral similarities of this owl to hawks. This owl has also been called the Hudsonian Owl, American Hawk Owl, Canadian Hawk Owl, and Day Owl. |
INTERESTING FACTS:
- Northern Hawk Owls have features and behaviors similar to hawks and falcons. They have long tails and pointed wings and their flight is like accipiter hawks. In addition, they tend to bob their tails when perched and are adept at hovering like kestrels.
- This owl hunts mainly during the day using its vision and hearing to detect prey. The feathers are stiffer than nocturnal owls and therefore this owl does not have completely silent flight.
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