# Northern Saw-whet Owl (*Aegolius acadicus*) The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small, cute owl with big round eyes and soft feathers. They are known for their sweet, whistling calls and love to hide in trees during the day. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Saw-whet Owl ![Northern Saw-whet Owl](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl%252C_Reifel_BC_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brendan Lally from Delta, Canada, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Saw-whet_Owl%252C_Reifel_BC_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a very small, stocky owl with a large, rounded head and no ear tufts. It has mottled brown and white plumage, bright yellow eyes, and a distinctive white 'V' marking on its face. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Aegolius ## Interesting facts - Scientists often use special mist nets to catch and study these secretive owls, as they are so well hidden! - Their distinct 'too-too-too' call sounds like a saw being sharpened, giving them their unique name! - They are so quiet, they can sometimes be gently handled by humans without waking up! - This tiny owl is a fierce hunter, capable of catching prey much larger than itself, like small rabbits! ## Special abilities - **Silent Hunter:** Northern Saw-whet Owl can fly silently because of specialized wing feathers that help them surprise prey. - **Super Hearing:** Northern Saw-whet Owl has asymmetrical ears that help them pinpoint prey in total darkness using sound. - **Head Spinner:** Northern Saw-whet Owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees because their eyes are fixed in their sockets. - **Camouflage Master:** Northern Saw-whet Owl has cryptic brown and white plumage that helps them blend perfectly with tree bark during the day. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-21 cm - **Wingspan:** 42-48 cm - **Weight:** 0.065-0.15 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 26-29 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These tiny owls are skilled nocturnal hunters, preying mainly on small mammals and insects. - **Primary Foods:** Deer mice, Voles, Shrews, Large insects, Small birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Key food source in their forested habitats. - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Frequently targeted small rodent prey. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A larger, dominant owl predator. - **Shelter:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — Often uses old nest cavities excavated by this woodpecker. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [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 If you see an owl, watch quietly from a distance and don't disturb it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Saw-whet 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 Saw-whet Owl? 18-21 cm ### What is Northern Saw-whet Owl's wingspan? 42-48 cm ### How much does Northern Saw-whet Owl weigh? 0.065-0.15 kg ### How long does Northern Saw-whet Owl live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Northern Saw-whet Owl move? 35 km/h ### What does Northern Saw-whet Owl eat? These tiny owls are skilled nocturnal hunters, preying mainly on small mammals and insects. ### Where is Northern Saw-whet Owl usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forts-baker-barry-and-cronkhite) — California, US · Historic District - [Hedgesville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hedgesville-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Charbonneau Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charbonneau-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Northern Saw-whet Owl](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-saw-whet-owl) ## 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 Saw-whet Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-saw-whet-owl)