|
|
 |
| MEASUREMENTS: The Northern Saw-whet Owl has a body length of 7 - 8 1/2 inches, a wingspan of 19 inches, and weighs 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 ounces. |
 HABITAT: Northern Saw-whet Owls prefer to live in coniferous forests, but can also be found in deciduous woodlands, especially riparian zones. They range from coastal Alaska, through southern Canada, the Great Lakes states, New England, western United States, and the central highlands of Mexico. |
| DIET: This owl relies mostly on small rodents, but will eat small birds while they migrate at night and some insects. This nocturnal owl hunts from a low perch at forest edges or clearings. |
| REPRODUCTION: Northern Saw-whet Owls nest in natural tree cavities, woodpecker holes, and man-made nest boxes. The female lays 4 - 7 eggs that are incubated for 27 - 29 days. The young fledge at 4 - 5 weeks old and they are probably able to breed in their first year. |
| NAME DERIVATION: The scientific name comes from the Greek word aigolios, meaning a kind of owl, and the Latinized name for Acadia or Nova Scotia where the first owl was taken for scientific collection. The common name refers to a sound the owl makes that resembles the sharpening or whetting of a saw blade. This owl has also been called the Acadia Owl, Saw-filer, Sparrow Owl, or Queen Charlotte Owl. |
INTERESTING FACTS:
- The asymmetrical ear openings of the Northern Saw-whet and Boreal Owls are easily seen on the skull of these birds. The right ear is higher on the head than the left, and each ear opening is a different shape. Augmenting the nocturnal owl’s exceptional night vision, the asymmetrical ears give owls superb directional hearing, and a greater ability to detect the exact position of their prey.
- Owls have large eyes to help them see in dim light. Owl skulls show a bony ring around the eye, which gives the eye protection and its shape. This ring does not allow the eye to move, so owls have a long neck and the ability to rotate their heads more than 180 degrees from a forward position.
|
|
|
|
|
