Sometimes Heard - Rarely Seen

Meet Aegolius acadicus - the Northern Saw-Whet Owl.  This diminutive bird is the smallest owl in eastern North America and among the smallest on the continent measuring 7-8½ inches in length and weighing-in at a whopping 3 ounces – give or take. 

This was a relatively easy ID both as a consequence of the size of the bird, the lack of ear tufts and a proportionately large head and prominent facial disk.  This is an owl of the forest and during daylight hours they prefer to roost in dense conifer stands just above eye level and near the trunk of a tree.  This owl is quite tame and approachable in the daytime – if you can find one.  They prefer to remain motionless and rely-upon concealment amongst dense pine boughs to avoid predators.  A nocturnal hunter its prey is predominantly small rodents such as voles and deer mice. 



This bird generally hasn’t much of anything to say.  However, during the breeding season of March thru May the male vocalizations are a rhythmic tooting song that may go on for hours without missing a beat.  The bird was named for this song - which reminded settlers of the sound of a whetstone sharpening a saw. 

click on images for a closer look