Owls

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus
Northern Saw-whet Owl thumbnail
Length: 8 in. (20 cm )
A resident of dense evergreen or mixed evergreen-deciduous forests, usually at higher elevations in the west, this small owl is rarely seen even though it is often not uncommon. \r\nThey are most easily noticed during the spring breeding season when they call regularly at night. They eat mostly small mice and during the summer also large insects. The nest cavity is in abandoned woodpecker holes or natural cavities of trunks high above the ground. The cavity is also used throughout the year for roosting during the day time. Occasionally individuals will roost motionlessly on low open branches during the day where they can be approached closely.

The four-digit banding code is NSWO.

Female | Richard Ditch

Male | Jim Burns


Fir forest

Oak-pine woodland
Bird Sound Type: Hooting
Sex of Bird: Male
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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Northern Saw-whet Owl
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 7, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Northern Saw-whet Owl. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 7, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Saw-whet Owl". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Northern Saw-whet Owl". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 7 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
A swallowtail caterpillar
Is there anything in nature that get smaller as it thrives?

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