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Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)

Photo credit: Steven Katovich
USDA Forest Service
forestryimages.org

Length: 10 in. Wingspan: 23 in.
Habitat: Mixed and conifer forests, muskeg. Nests mostly in forests where coniferous trees such as spruce are mixed with deciduous trees including aspen or birch. During winter usually found in groves of conifers.
Range: Uncommon to rare. Inhabits boreal forest belt, also subalpine mixed conifer-deciduous forests in the high Rockies and mountains of the Northwest. Sometimes seen in northern Illinois, northern Ohio and New York City. In Alaska, it occurs throughout the forested areas of the Interior, upper Kobuk valley, Kodiak Island, and western Southcentral, including Prince William Sound out to the Alaska Peninsula as far as King Salmon.

The Boreal is a rather mysterious owl of dense northern woodlands. Except when calling at night in very early spring, it is easily overlooked. It feeds mostly on small mammals: voles and mice, also small squirrels, shews, and pocket gophers. Also eats small birds of various kinds, and insects, especially crickets. The Boreal Owl hunts mostly at night by moving through forest from one perch to another, watching for prey, then swooping down to take prey in its talons. it can capture prey hidden under snow or under dense vegetation because ears are adapted for precise location of sounds.

Nesting begins in late winter or early spring. In courtship, male feeds female. The nest is in cavity in tree, usually a woodpecker hole. The Boreal Owl uses new nest each year. Female remains with young most of the time at first; male brings food, female feeds it to young. After about 3 weeks, female also hunts and brings the food.

Conservation Status The boreal owl is protected by state of Alaska and federal laws. Agriculture and logging are impacts on the owl, although mitigation might be possible. The owls are fairly tolerant of disturbance and have been found existing within housing developments, provided the natural character of the boreal forest is retained.