Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicusAlso known as Acadian Owl, Saw-whet Owl
Northern saw-whet owls are pint-sized forest predators that rely on exceptional camouflage, roosting silently in dense conifer branches during the day to avoid detection. At night, they hunt with incredible acoustic precision, dropping silently from low perches onto unsuspecting forest rodents. Their rhythmic, piping breeding calls sound remarkably like a saw being sharpened on a whetstone, giving them their distinctive name.
- diet
- Carnivorous (primarily small rodents)
- family
- Strigidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, collision with windows, predation by larger raptors
- life Span
- 7 to 9 years in the wild
LC
Sharp talons and beak can cause injury if cornered; observe quietly from a respectful distance.
Equipped with sharp talons and a curved beak that can inflict painful punctures and scratches if the bird feels cornered or is handled.
Never attempt to touch or capture a roosting owl; keep a respectful distance of at least several meters.Highly vulnerable to disturbance during daytime roosting, which can expose them to predators or cause them to abandon nests.
Avoid crowding the roost tree, keep voices whispered, and never use flash photography or playback calls.- Scan dense conifers: Look closely at eye level in thick cedar or pine groves during winter, where they often roost close to the trunk.
- Listen for songbirds: Small songbirds like chickadees and nuthatches will loudly mob a roosting saw-whet, giving away its hidden location.
- Keep your distance: If the owl stares wide-eyed or begins to stretch its wings, you are too close and should back away slowly.