# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Northern forests, especially in areas with open spaces and plenty of trees. - **Also known as:** Hawk Owl, Northern Owl, Surnia Owl ![Northern Hawk Owl](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Surnia-ulula-002.jpg&width=800) Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Krun assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Surnia-ulula-002.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Surnia ## 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 - **Sunlight Hunter:** Northern Hawk Owls can hunt effectively during the day, an unusual trait for owls, because their keen eyesight is adapted to bright light. - **Whisper Wings:** Northern Hawk Owls have special feather adaptations that allow them to fly almost silently, helping them ambush unsuspecting prey. - **Sub-snow Scout:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Spinus tristis*) — Opportunistically preys on small songbirds. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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. ### Where is Northern Hawk Owl usually found? Northern forests, especially in areas with open spaces and plenty of trees. ## Where to spot - [Sawtooth Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sawtooth-botanical-garden) — Idaho, US · Botanical Garden - [Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akamina-kishinena-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern Hawk Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-hawk-owl)