Animalia Life

Aegolius acadicus
SUBFAMILY
Surniinae, Tribe Aegoliini
TAXONOMY
Strix acadica J.F. Gmelin, 1788, Nova Scotia. Two subspecies are recognized.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Saw-whet owl, Queen Charlotte owl; French: Petite Nyctale; German: Sдgekauz; Spanish: Mochuelo Cabezуn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
7.1–8.7 in (18–22 cm). Female, 3.5 oz (100 g). Male, 2.6 oz (75 g). One of the smallest owls, it has a large, round head with a buff to brownish facial disc, white eyebrows, and a white patch between the yellow to golden eyes. Forehead and crown of head are brown with white streaks. Upperparts are brown with white or buff spots on the nape of the neck, shoulders, and wing-coverts. Underparts are white tinged with buff and spotted or streaked with reddish brown. The short legs are heavily feathered to the talons.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern Alaska to southern United States through to eastern Canada down to northern Florida. Also a strip through the highlands of California and Mexico.
HABITAT
Forests; typically prefers coniferous forests.
BEHAVIOR
Nocturnal, but occasionally may forage during the day. Migrates south to winter, although some birds are present in the breeding range all year round. The call of the male during mating season sounds like a saw being sharpened, giving the species its common name.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mainly small mammals, especially mice and voles, some small birds, and insects. Hunts from a perch; locates prey using acute hearing and low-light vision.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Nests in cavities, such as old woodpecker holes. Lays five to seven eggs. Incubation is 27–29 days. There is some evidence of polyandry in good vole years.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not globally threatened. Populations are stable, but vulnerable to reduction with loss of habitat.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

Other popular Animals