The last few weeks I looked extensively for the elusive Northern Saw-whet Owl. Recently while out birding, I was checking out some more trees. I was excited to find a fresh pellet on the ground, then a short distance away, a cute Northern Saw-whet Owl was staring at me. I have never seen a Northern Saw-whet Owl before, captive or wild so this was a real treat and a life bird too. Not moving much, I put my camera up, took a few shots of this beautiful owl. I would tell anyone who asks, how do you find a Northern Saw-whet Owl? Look in the pine trees around you. You just might be surprised to find one like I was and be rewarded too with a photo. A mostly cloudy day, temps in the mid 40’s, with steady winds.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Binomial name: Aegolius acadicus
Category: Typical Owls
Size: 8” long, 17” wing span
Weight: 2.8 oz
Cool facts: Smallest owl in North America with a cat like face that is highly nocturnal and seldom seen.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
The found pellet…
Great Photos Jim. Wish I wasn’t so adverse to the cold weather and be out there looking for birds like you and others. Keep up the Great Finds.
Congrats on your beautiful lifer, Jim!
Aren’t they sweet!
Owls are my favorite…how exciting to find this beautiful little guy/girl. Love the expressive face! Congratulations on a successful find!!
What a super cute owl and great images Jim! Would love to see this one in person.
Love them, great find.
I would LOVE to find one in my pine tree!
If I had a bucket list, an owl in the wild would be on it. I’m going to look harder! Beautiful shots…congratulations! And thanks for sharing this great find!
Great photo ! What a treat to see this special owl. Thank you for sharing. Did you know that the expansion of The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin (in the largest continuous environmental corridor in Milwaukee County) is going to clear 11 acres of mature woodlands and 12 acres of wetlands on this landfill immediately abutting the Root River? AND very near the Wehr Center and abutting Mangan Woods. Makes me sad to think that habitat for these amazing creatures and others is being cleared. Contact Franklin if you are concerned: 425-7500
I am in Alberta – about an hour NE of Edmonton, AB. I have been building nest boxes for these guys for a few years now.
I have about 10 nest boxes placed at my farms, 2 miles apart.
In 2017, I had 4 of these boxes occupied.
One pair had a family of 7 babies that they raised until they fledged! Most common is a family of 5 babies. There must have been a good mouse population around there.
I have a Professional Photographer that comes out and takes pictures of the babies before they fledge. They are the cutest little guys.
I just now found this website. Wish I could post a picture of the baby Saw Whets.