Northern Saw-whet Owls in Northwest Territories
When saw-whet owls are present in Northwest Territories, when they nest, which native Northwest Territories plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–1a yard.
- Status in Northwest Territories
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–1a
- Nest box
- 2 1/2 in hole, 6 × 6 in floor, 10–20 ft
When to expect saw-whet owls in Northwest Territories
Northern Saw-whet Owls live in Northwest Territories all year. Extremely cold, dark winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.
Subarctic boreal forest in the south, Arctic tundra in the north.
Nesting in Northwest Territories
Across Northwest Territories, saw-whet owls typically nest from April–June. Plan around that window: March for setup, June for clean-out.
Brief summers with midnight sun.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — saw-whet owls begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 2 1/2 in entrance on a 6 × 6 in floor, mounted 10–20 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Northwest Territories plants that attract saw-whet owls
Of the regional native plants we track for Northwest Territories, these 8 provide food or cover saw-whet owls use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Persistent cones in boreal bogs.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding saw-whet owls through the Northwest Territories year
- Top foods: None — a saw-whet box in dense conifers is the draw.
- In Northwest Territories's winter: Extremely cold, dark winters.
Full diet breakdown for saw-whet owls · Best feeder for saw-whet owls
Frequently asked
Are saw-whet owls in Northwest Territories year-round?
Yes. Northern Saw-whet Owls are year-round residents in Northwest Territories.
When do saw-whet owls nest in Northwest Territories?
Nesting in Northwest Territories typically runs April–June, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 4–7 eggs, incubated for 27–29 days.
What native plants attract saw-whet owls in Northwest Territories?
Paper birch, Chokecherry, Balsam fir, White spruce, Black spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Northwest Territories that provide food or cover for saw-whet owls.
What size birdhouse hole do saw-whet owls need?
2 1/2 in, with a floor of 6 × 6 in mounted 10–20 ft.
Northern Saw-whet Owls in other regions
Other backyard birds in Northwest Territories
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Northwest Territories
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.