"Unbelievable! Meet the World's Tiniest Owl That Doesn't Hoot! You Won't Believe Your Eyes!"7/18/2023 When thinking about owls, one might imagine large, hooting creatures of the night. However, northern saw-whet owls defy some of those expectations, although not all. Unlike their large counterparts, these owls are among the smallest in the world, roughly the size of a robin, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Standing at a height of 7 to 8 inches and weighing only 2 to 5 ounces, they are much smaller compared to the more familiar great horned owl, which can reach 2 feet in height and weigh between 2 to 5 pounds. In fact, northern saw-whet owls are closer in size to the elf owl, the world's smallest owl, found in the American Southwest. Elf owls stand only 4 to 6 inches tall and weigh less than 2 ounces. In addition to their small size, these owls also have a different way of vocalizing. While many owls hoot, northern saw-whet owls produce a melodic "too-too-too-too-too" sound. Males use this song to mark their territory and attract a mate, but females also sing while seeking a partner. The owls were actually named after their distinctive song, which is said to resemble the sound of a whetstone sharpening a saw, according to the National Audubon Society. Although they differ in size and vocalization, one common trait shared by many owls, including northern saw-whet owls, is their nocturnal lifestyle. These owls primarily hunt at night, patiently perching and scanning for prey before swooping down for a catch, as reported by the Audubon Society. Their preferred food consists of mice, but they also consume other small rodents like voles, shrews, chipmunks, squirrels, as well as small birds and large insects. While these owls are common across their range, it is often challenging to spot them. Cornell Lab mentions that although they inhabit a wide area from coast to coast in the northern United States and southern Canada, as well as parts of the Southwest and Mexico, they prefer mature forests and are rarely seen. In Illinois, they are found year-round in the northern part of the state, with some individuals from the northern edges of their territory wintering in the southern half of the state, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Due to their secretive nature, it is believed that they are more abundant than their sightings suggest. During the day, northern saw-whet owls roost in trees, typically at eye level near the tree trunk, as stated by Cornell Lab. As night falls and the owls go hunting, they often maintain this position, which provides them with a favorable vantage point to observe rodents scurrying on the ground below. Adult northern saw-whet owls have mostly brown plumage that aids in their camouflage. Their round faces are brown with white mottling, and they possess bright yellow eyes. Young saw-whet owls exhibit a more striking appearance than adults, featuring cinnamon-colored bellies and chocolate brown faces with a white V above the eyes. While a mated pair of northern saw-whet owls is usually monogamous, males may have multiple female mates when food is abundant. Males begin calling for a mate as early as January, even before the arrival of females in their breeding territory. This calling behavior can continue until May, according to Cornell Lab.
For nesting, northern saw-whet owls typically utilize cavities previously built and used by other birds, such as pileated woodpeckers or northern flickers. The female lays her eggs in the soft bed of the previous nest, and approximately one month later, they hatch, as described by the Peregrine Fund. After hatching, the female takes responsibility for keeping the owlets warm and safe, while the male brings food back to the nest for the babies and the mother. The owlets remain in the nest for a period of four to five weeks before fledging, as reported by the Peregrine Fund. Even after leaving the nest, they still rely on their parents for food and support for a few more months. Full independence is achieved after about three months, and some owls may even reproduce during their first year.
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