Owls (Strigidae)
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus. Deer mice and other small rodents, hunted at night.
Owls (Strigidae)Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus
- Scientific name
- Aegolius acadicus
- Length
- 7.1–8.3 in
- Weight
- 2.3–5.3 oz
- Nest
- Old woodpecker cavity or nest box in mixed forest
- Entrance hole
- 2 1/2 in
- Clutch
- 4–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 27–29 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Tiny owl with a big round head and no ear tufts
- White Y between the yellow eyes
- Rusty streaks on a white breast
Voice
An endless, mechanical, evenly spaced 'too-too-too'.
Diet and feeding
Deer mice and other small rodents, hunted at night.
Northern Saw-whet Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Arizona | Winter visitor | — |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| California | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | March–June |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | March–June |
| New Mexico | Winter visitor | — |
| New York | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | April–June |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Nunavut | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | April–June |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | March–June |
| West Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | April–June |
Frequently asked
What do saw-whet owls eat?
Deer mice and other small rodents, hunted at night. At feeders: none — a saw-whet box in dense conifers is the draw.
How big is a Northern Saw-whet Owl?
7.1–8.3 in long and 2.3–5.3 oz.
Do saw-whet owls use birdhouses?
Yes — a 2 1/2 in entrance, 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 10–20 ft.
Sources
- Northern Saw-whet Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Saw-whet Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Saw-whet Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.