Owls
Aegolius acadicus
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small, nocturnal owl found across North America. Despite being common, its secretive nature and excellent camouflage often lead it to be overlooked. Named for a call that some liken to the sound of a saw being sharpened, this owl is more often heard than seen.
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
A very small, round-headed owl with no ear tufts. Adults are warm brown with reddish streaks on a white chest.
Features a cat-like face with bright yellow eyes and a dark bill. A white Y-shaped blaze marks the area between and above the eyes.
Juveniles in summer are chocolate brown with a tawny buff belly and prominent white eyebrows.
A subspecies found on Haida Gwaii (A. a. brooksi) has rufous coloring where the widespread subspecies (A. a. acadicus) has white.
02 / A place in the world
Northern Saw-whet Owls inhabit various forest types, including coniferous, deciduous, and mixed woodlands. They require dense vegetation for roosting and perches for hunting. During migration and winter, they can be found in a wide range of habitats and altitudes, including suburban areas.
This species breeds from southern Alaska across Canada and the northern United States, extending south through western mountains into Mexico, and in the Great Smoky Mountains. It winters generally throughout its breeding range, with some individuals moving further south.
Many Northern Saw-whet Owls are resident year-round in their breeding grounds, but others undertake nocturnal migrations, moving south in autumn. Western mountain populations may move to lower elevations for winter. Females tend to migrate further south than males.
03 / Listen a little closer
Males give a rhythmic, high-pitched tooting song, a series of whistled notes repeated for minutes or hours, particularly during the breeding season from January to May. Other calls include a metallic whurdle and a raspy sound.
04 / The life behind the feathers
Their primary diet consists of small mammals, particularly deer mice, voles, shrews, and lemmings. They also consume young squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, and occasionally insects like beetles and grasshoppers.
As nocturnal predators, Northern Saw-whet Owls hunt at night, often being most active around dusk and just before dawn. They typically wait for prey from a low perch, using their excellent hearing to locate their quarry before dropping to capture it with their talons.
Breeding occurs from March to July, with nesting mainly in April and May in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. They typically nest in existing tree cavities, often abandoned woodpecker holes, and will readily use artificial nest boxes. The female incubates 5-6 eggs for 26-28 days, while the male provides food.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are solitary and highly nocturnal, roosting quietly in dense cover during the day. They are often quite tame and may allow close approach without flushing from their perch.
One more reason to pay attention
The Northern Saw-whet Owl's name is thought to come from a call resembling the sound of a saw being sharpened on a whetstone.
Female Northern Saw-whet Owls are typically larger than males, a common trait among raptors.
This species has asymmetric ears, positioned at different levels on its head, which helps it pinpoint prey accurately by sound.
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.