This cute little owl is common across central and north-central Alberta, and south through the mountains. Wintering movements of this small owl are poorly understood. Some hardly move at all, and other move hundreds of kilometers away.
Mature forests that include moist areas are the preferred habitats for the saw-whet owl. This bird can be very closely approached if it is spotted in its daytime resting spot of dense shrubbery.
Small rodents such as mice and voles make a good meal for a saw-whet owl. Critters as small as insects and as large as chipmunks are also taken.
Saw-whet owls nest in tree cavities, particularly old woodpecker nests. A nest box might be used. Four to seven white eggs are incubated for 15 to 30 days. The male feeds the female throughout the incubation period. He continues to feed the whole family sometimes for up to a month after the young have fledged. Owlets fledge in another 28 to 35 days after hatching.
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Where to find Northern Saw-whet Owls in Alberta
Great Horned Owls are the only owl species encountered more often than Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area. Watch for these hand-sized, nocturnal owls sleeping at eye level in small White Spruce trees along pathways throughout the park. Listen for small groups of highly agitated chickadees for clues to finding sleeping Saw-whet Owls. Listen, too, for the rapid, piping breeding calls of this owl from February through April. Brent Johner
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Interesting Facts about Northern Saw-whet Owls
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Northern Saw-whet Owl Stories from our Readers
It's easier to hear this little owl than to see it. One night we decided to 'call' for owls at Fish Creek Park. We played a taped saw-whet call just a few times (we don't want to get them all freaked out). We heard a reply from across a clearing, and then another a bit closer a minute or two later. The third reply was directly over our head only a couple of feet up in the tree under which we were sitting! We never heard him coming and only got a brief look as he took off, probably annoyed at having found only a couple of lumpish humans sitting on a park bench in the middle of the night. Nora Bryan
