Northern Saw-whet owl Aegolius acadicus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 7 inches Wingspan: 17 inches
• Small, nocturnal, predatory bird
• Large, rounded head
• Yellow eyes
• Brownish facial disks
• Dark bill
• Brown upperparts with large white spots
• Pale underparts with large, dark irregular streaks
• Sexes similar

Similar species:

The Boreal Owl is most likely to be confused with the Northern Saw-whet Owl but lacks brown in the face, has a pale bill, has a dark border to the face and darker brown upperparts. Screech-owls have ear tufts. Pygmy-owls have longer tails and different markings.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.