Boreal Owl

COMMON NAME: Boreal Owl

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aegolius funereus

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:
A small owl with a gray, squarish facial disc framed with black, yellow eyes and a light colored beak. White teardrop spots occur above its eyes. The back, tail, and wings are brown with white streaks. Boreal owls appear similar to the saws-whet owl but are larger.

RANGE:
Distributed circumpolarly it is found in northern Europe (where it is known as Tengmalm's owl), the Soviet Union, Alaska, and Canada. The first report of its nesting in the lower 48 states came from Minnesota in 1978. Since then, a breeding population has been found in northeast Minnesota and local populations reported in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Washington.

HABITAT:
As its name indicates, this owl is found in northern coniferous and mixed hardwood forests. It is most common in spruce or pine woods, although it is regularly found nesting in aspen in Minnesota.

NESTING:
The boreal owl is a cavity nester that will also use nest boxes, particularly in Europe. The male sings near a cavity to attract a female. The female does most of incubation while the male feeds her.

FEEDING HABITS:
Voles and other small nocturnal rodents make up the majority of this owl's diet. Population densities and migrations of the boreal owl can be tied to rodent populations.

RAPTOR CENTER DATA:
Not a common patient, a few birds are admitted to the clinic during "invasion" years.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
Not considered a common resident of the lower 48 states, ongoing research may cause a reassessment of this bird's status in the near future. Two projects are currently being conducted in Minnesota to determine the population status of this owl.

Other Web Resources:

Animated GIFs

• Owl eyes: shows a nictitating membrane, an owl's second eyelid

Teacher Lesson Plans

• "Radical Raptors"
  • See an owl in-flight silhouette

Burrowing Owl Range
Minnesota Ornithologists' Union bird range map

Additional Information (not specifically about owls):
Publications