Family: Strigidae, Owls view all from this family
Description 9-12" (23-30 cm). W. 24" (61 cm). A rare, robin-sized owl without ear tufts. Brown with white spots above, rust-streaked below. Similar to Northern Saw-whet Owl but larger, with dark borders on facial disks, more spotting on upperparts, spotted (not streaked) forehead, and yellow (not dark) bill.
Habitat Boreal coniferous forests and muskeg.
Nesting 4-6 white eggs placed in a woodpecker hole or other tree cavity or in the abandoned nest of another bird.
Range Breeds in Alaska, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Labrador, and Newfoundland south to northern British Columbia, Colorado (in Rocky Mountains), southern Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. In winter wanders rarely south to northern tier of states. Also in Eurasia.
Voice Rapid series of whistled notes.
Discussion This small, secretive owl is considered one of the rarest winter visitors from the North. Its retiring habits cause it to be overlooked, and it is easily confused with its more common relative the Northern Saw-whet Owl. It is entirely nocturnal, spending the day concealed in dense spruce or a hollow tree. It preys mainly on rodents.
