Animalia Life
Surnia ulula
SUBFAMILY
Surninae, Tribe Surniini
TAXONOMY
Strix ulula Linnaeus, 1758, Sweden. Three subspecies are recognized.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Hawk owl; French: Chouette йperviиre; German:
Sperbereule; Spanish: Cбrabo Gavilбn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
14.2–15.4 in (36–39 cm). Female, 11.3–12.2 oz (320–345 g).
Male, 9.5–11.3 oz (270–320 g). This owl has a broad head, a
whitish facial disc bordered with a broad black band, and yellow
eyes. Upperparts are dark brownish black with white spotting.
Underparts are whitish with heavy chocolate brown bars.
The long tail is barred, and the legs and feet are covered with
white feathers.
DISTRIBUTION
Alaska through Canada to Newfoundland; Scandinavia through
to eastern China.
HABITAT
Northern forests up to the tree line, forest steppes, and some
farmlands.
BEHAVIOR
Nomadic; follows the abundance of prey species. Will winter
in open land and use farm haystacks as hunting perches. Diurnal
and nocturnal.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Prey consists of small mammals (including voles, lemmings,
and even young hares), birds, insects, and amphibians. Hunts
from a perch; will take birds from the air; hovers well; will take
prey under snow, locating it by sound alone.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Nests in tree cavities or on the tops of broken stumps. Lays six
to ten eggs, up to thirteen in good vole years. Incubation is
25–30 days. Young fledge at 25–35 days. Parents will try to
distract predators by disabled display to draw attention away
from young. Young become independent at about 75 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not globally threatened. As with many of the species reliant on
fluctuations in prey numbers, this owl’s numbers rise and fall
accordingly.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - Northern hawk-owl
