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The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a very small owl, measuring only 20 cm tall. They are earless, with bright yellow eyes, a dark bill, and a short tail. Adults are brown above, with white streaks on the forehead. Juveniles are chocolate-brown above, and creamy below, with a white triangle between the eyes.
Primarily nocturnal, the Northern Saw-whet Owl roost during the day, and are very tame at this time. At night they are busy hunting mice, their main diet. Their small size makes it difficult to catch mice in deep winter snow. For this reason most will migrate south for the winter, returning early in April or May.
Although usually silent, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is known for its monotonous and short musical whistle, repeated every half-second for minutes at a time. It sounds much like the sound made when a saw is sharpened, which is where the name comes from.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl lays 5 or 6 white eggs in a deserted woodpecker hole or natural cavity, without the use of any lining.
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NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL
Aegolius acadicus
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