The Northern Saw-whet Owl is one of the smallest owl species in North America, measuring only 7-8 inches in length. Despite its tiny size, attracting this nocturnal raptor to your yard or property can be an incredibly rewarding experience for any bird enthusiast. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to successfully attract Northern Saw-whet Owls.
What is the Northern Saw-whet Owl?
The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small owl native to North America. It gets its name from its distinctive territorial call which resembles the whetting of a saw blade. This mostly nocturnal owl breeds across Canada and the northern United States. It winters as far south as Mexico.
Northern Saw-whet Owls have large heads and yellow eyes. Their plumage is reddish-brown or brown overall with white spots. The underparts are lighter with dark streaks. These owls have a large facial disk ringed in white. They also lack ear tufts which helps distinguish them from other small owl species.
Though they are petite, Northern Saw-whet Owls are fierce predators. They feed mainly on small mammals like mice, voles, shrews, and young rabbits. They also prey on small birds, insects, and other arthropods. Saw-whets hunt from perches waiting to ambush prey or by flying low through dense vegetation.
When and where can you spot a Northern Saw-whet Owl?
Northern Saw-whet Owls are found year-round across most of Canada, Alaska, and the northern United States. They breed in coniferous or mixed forests usually nesting in tree cavities or old woodpecker holes. These owls are migratory and head south for the winter months.
The best opportunities to spot a Northern Saw-whet Owl are during breeding season and on their wintering grounds. In southern Canada and the northern U.S., the breeding season runs from March to May. On wintering grounds farther south, Saw-whets can be spotted from November to February.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are most vocal during breeding season. Their territorial call is a monotonous series of short whistling notes. The male’s advertising call is faster and ends with a trill. Females also call while nesting before laying eggs. Saw-whets are quieter in winter though they may still vocalize on moonlit nights.
In addition to forests, Saw-whets can sometimes be found in more open environments like parks, cemeteries, and backyards during migration and winter. Providing roost boxes specifically for Saw-whet Owls in these areas during winter months can increase sightings.
How to attract Northern Saw-whet Owls to your yard
Here are some tips to bring Northern Saw-whet Owls to your backyard:
Provide natural habitat
Northern Saw-whet Owls prefer habitat with dense trees and brush. If you have mature trees, shrubs, and unruly vegetation on your property, you’re off to a good start. Saw-whets often use conifers like pines, spruces, and junipers for roosting and nesting so make sure to protect and maintain these if present.
Put up nest boxes
Saw-whet Owls commonly use nest boxes instead of tree cavities. Place small owl nest boxes around your property before breeding season. Mount boxes 10-20 feet high on tree trunks. Make sure boxes face away from prevailing winds and offer protection from predators.
Offer roosting spots
In winter, Saw-whets roost in dense evergreens that provide cover and insulation. You can create additional roosting sites by planting upright evergreen trees and shrubs or installing roost boxes specifically made for Saw-whet Owls.
Provide water
A clean water source like a bird bath, fountain, or small pond will help attract birds that Saw-whet Owls prey on. Running water that makes noise can also grab these owls’ attention as they hunt.
Limit exterior lighting
Outdoor lighting can deter nocturnal owls like the Saw-whet. Limit exterior lighting as much as possible or use motion-sensor lights to minimize light pollution.
Offer perches and lookouts
Northern Saw-whet Owls like to hunt from low, hidden perches. Place branches, stumps, fence posts, or boulders around your yard to provide hunting spots. Unmown grass and brushy areas also provide cover.
What to feed Northern Saw-whet Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owls are carnivores and primarily eat small mammals like mice, voles, young rabbits, shrews, bats, and small birds. They won’t visit seed or suet feeders. But you can attract the small prey they depend on with these strategies:
- Put out small amounts of black oil sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, and other grains to draw in songbirds, mice, and squirrels.
- Ensure proper drainage since mice thrive in wet environments.
- Leave leaf litter and brush piles which provide cover for small mammals.
- Avoid pesticides which reduce prey availability.
You can also purchase frozen mice or rats from bait shops or online retailers to directly supplement a Saw-whet Owl’s diet but check your local regulations first. Make sure any supplemental feed is disease-free.
Saw-whet Owl call playback
Playing recordings of Northern Saw-whet Owl calls can sometimes attract them to your yard. This technique is most effective during breeding season when Saw-whets are most vocal. Here are some tips for proper call playback:
- Only use recordings of the Northern Saw-whet Owl.
- Pay attention to volume. Start soft and gradually increase loudness if needed.
- Use a remote speaker and conceal yourself from view.
- Limit playback to a few minutes at a time.
- Only try once every few nights to avoid habituation.
- Never use playback in heavily birded areas where owls are likely already established.
Be very cautious with call playback and stop immediately if an owl seems stressed. Avoid overusing this method as it can disrupt owl behavior patterns when done improperly or excessively.
Ideal habitat and conditions
Making your property attractive to Northern Saw-whet Owls relies heavily on providing proper habitat and resources. Here are the ideal conditions Saw-whets look for:
- Mature coniferous or mixed forest – Saw-whets prefer older forests with a dense understory for nesting and roosting.
- Woodland clearings – Clearings or edge habitat created by streams, swamps, or meadows within forests provide hunting grounds.
- Tree cavities and snags – Natural nesting sites high off the ground provide security.
- Wooded corridors – Rivers, fencerows, and ravines surrounded by trees are used during migration.
- Abundant prey – A healthy small mammal population guarantees food for the owls.
- Perches and lookouts– Low perches give the owls a place to wait in ambush when hunting.
- Nearby water – Access to water attracts prey species to the area.
- Seclusion – Saw-whets avoid heavily developed areas and prefer quiet habitat.
- Sparse lighting – Bright lights deter these nocturnal owls and can disrupt natural behavior.
The presence of smaller woodpeckers like Downy Woodpeckers can also indicate suitable Saw-whet habitat since they create the tree cavity nest sites Saw-whets require.
When do Northern Saw-whet Owls nest?
The breeding season for Northern Saw-whet Owls runs from March to May depending on latitude:
- Southern Canada – early March to late May
- Northern U.S. states – late March to early May
- High elevations – late April to mid-May
Saw-whets are generally monogamous. Pairs will defend a nesting territory of around 100 acres. The female chooses a nest in a natural tree cavity or old woodpecker hole usually 10-20 feet above ground.
Females lay between 3-7 white eggs over a period of days. She alone incubates the eggs for 26-28 days while the male provides food. Hatchlings are covered in white down and leave the nest at around 4 weeks old. They can fly well at 6 weeks but remain dependent on parental care for several more weeks.
How to provide safe nesting sites
Saw-whet Owls depend on abandoned woodpecker cavities for nesting. If no natural sites exist, you can provide man-made nest boxes. Here are some tips:
- Use a box designed specifically for Saw-whet Owls, about 8 x 8 x 16 inches.
- Line the inside with an inch or two of wood shavings or sawdust.
- Add drainage holes and ventilation at top.
- Face entrance away from prevailing winds and precipitation.
- Mount 10-20 feet high on tree trunks.
- Space boxes 300-500 feet apart to avoid crowding.
- Clean boxes out yearly before breeding season.
- Avoid treating boxes with toxic pesticides or wood preservatives.
Leaving up natural snags (dead trees) also provides potential nesting sites. Make sure any nest boxes you provide remain undisturbed during breeding season.
Northern Saw-whet Owl threats and conservation
Though widespread, Northern Saw-whet Owl populations have declined in some parts of their range. Habitat loss is the biggest threat they face. Saw-whets rely on mature forests and snags for nesting and roosting. Large-scale logging can reduce suitable habitat.
Other issues include:
- Excessive predation – Especially from larger owls like Barred Owls when forests are fragmented.
- Vehicle collisions – More common during migratory periods.
- Pesticides – Can reduce insect prey and cause poisoning.
- Climate change – Long-term shifts in prey availability and habitat suitability.
Protecting and restoring contiguous forest habitat is key to Northern Saw-whet Owl conservation. Cavity-nesting birds like chickadees and woodpeckers that create nest sites should also be preserved. Following proper guidelines for attracting and observing Saw-whets can help limit disturbance.
Northern Saw-whet Owl fun facts
Here are some interesting tidbits about the diminutive Northern Saw-whet Owl:
- They got their name from their territorial call which sounds like a whetstone sharpening a saw.
- Saw-whets are one of the smallest owl species in North America.
- Their dish-shaped face collects sound waves allowing them to precisely locate prey at night.
- Saw-whets can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
- They nest in tree cavities but don’t excavate them themselves.
- Saw-whets sometimes cache extra prey by wedging it into trees or crevices.
- They are unintentionally killed in high numbers by cars during migration.
- Predators like crows or jays will harass and mob Saw-whets near nests.
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Conclusion
With a few simple landscaping strategies and habitat enhancements, you can successfully attract Northern Saw-whet Owls to your yard or property. Focus on providing mature coniferous woodlands, natural nesting sites, nighttime seclusion, and abundant small prey. Avoid excessive lights and disturbance near nests during the breeding season. Saw-whets are fascinating little raptors that will eagerly take up residence in the right habitat.
