Northern Saw-whet Owl

18 - 22 cm

16 years

Northern Saw-whet Owl primarily prey on small mammals like mice and voles, but also consume shrews, bats, and juvenile larger mammals. Supplementing their diet, northern Saw-whet Owl hunt small birds, particularly during migration, and may consume larger avians occasionally. Coastal northern Saw-whet Owl may eat crustaceans and other invertebrates. Insects and amphibians are also part of their varied diet. Males provide food during the female's incubation and brooding period.

Northern Saw-whet Owl primarily inhabit coniferous forests but can also be found in mixed or deciduous woods across North America. They have a notable presence in riparian zones rich in prey. These birds prefer environments with an open understory for foraging, roosting in dense conifers, and nesting in deciduous trees or utilising cavities and old nests of small raptors. Their altitude range spans from sea level to high elevations, thriving in a variety of wooded areas including coniferous swamps, disturbed woods, savannahs, riverside forests, and shrub-steppe habitats. During winter, northern Saw-whet Owl occupy dense forests within their breeding range and are distributed throughout most of the United States, avoiding only the southernmost regions.

Females of northern Saw-whet Owl, with occasional male assistance, select the nesting site. They lay eggs directly atop cavity debris and don't construct traditional nests. Egg-laying and parental care patterns coincide with seasonal breeding routines, as is common in owl species.

Northern Saw-whet Owl typically nest in pre-excavated cavities often made by other birds like Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers. Nests are 8–44 feet above ground, with the cavity approximately 3 inches wide and 9–18 inches deep, and an entrance around 2–3 inches. They use debris for lining but don't add new material.