Northern Hawk Owl

surnia ulula

The Northern Hawk Owl is a fascinating bird that looks a bit like a cat! With its bright yellow eyes and unique markings, it is sure to catch your attention as it hunts during the day.

Habitat: Northern forests, especially in areas with open spaces and plenty of trees.

Appearance

The Northern Hawk Owl has a distinct hawk-like appearance with a long tail and no ear tufts. Its plumage is mottled brown and white with fine barring on its belly, and it has piercing yellow eyes within a prominent facial disc.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderStrigiformesFamilyStrigidaeGenusSurnia

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Krun assumed (based on copyright claims).CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Northern Hawk Owl

Interesting facts

Northern Hawk Owls don't build nests; they use old woodpecker holes or broken tree snags!

Their long tail and flight pattern make them look like a hawk, not a typical owl!

Their rapid 'klee-klee-klee' call sounds very different from most owls' hoots!

These tough owls bravely stay in freezing Arctic habitats all winter long!

Special abilities

Northern Hawk Owls can hunt effectively during the day, an unusual trait for owls, because their keen eyesight is adapted to bright light.

Northern Hawk Owls have special feather adaptations that allow them to fly almost silently, helping them ambush unsuspecting prey.

Northern Hawk Owls can locate hidden prey by using their incredibly sensitive hearing to detect movements under thick layers of snow.

Measurements & details

Length: 35-45 cm
Wingspan: 70-80 cm
Weight: 0.25-0.4 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Speed: 65 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-13
Incubation: 25-30 days

Diet & Feeding

These fierce hunters primarily eat small mammals and birds, showing no mercy for their prey.

Primary Foods

Voles
Shrews
Mice
Lemmings
Finches
Juncos

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Can be prey for larger raptors.

Hunts

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

A primary food source in many habitats.

Hunts

Masked Shrew

Sorex cinereus

Preys on this small, fast mammal.

Hunts

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Opportunistically preys on small songbirds.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Carnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Nocturnal

Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

Also known as

Hawk OwlNorthern OwlSurnia Owl

Collections

Birds

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Northern Hawk Owl?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Northern Hawk Owl?

35-45 cm

What is Northern Hawk Owl's wingspan?

70-80 cm

How much does Northern Hawk Owl weigh?

0.25-0.4 kg

How long does Northern Hawk Owl live?

5-10 years

How fast can Northern Hawk Owl move?

65 km/h

What does Northern Hawk Owl eat?

These fierce hunters primarily eat small mammals and birds, showing no mercy for their prey.