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Northern Hawk-Owl
Surnia ulula
Identify the Northern Hawk-Owl by sound or photo and log your sightings with Birdpass.
The Northern Hawk-Owl is a medium-sized, long-tailed owl of the boreal forests of Eurasia and North America and the only member of its genus. Unusually for an owl, it is active by day and looks and flies rather like a small hawk. It hunts voles from high perches, and its breeding and movements follow vole cycles; in some winters it irrupts southwards.
Did you know?
- It is one of the most diurnal owls.
- Adults have been reported striking moose that came too close to the nest.
About the species
Identification
A long-tailed, pointed-winged, day-active owl. The upperparts are mottled greyish-black and white, the underparts white and densely barred; black side stripes frame the face, and the eyes are yellow. It often sits conspicuously on treetops, poles or wires. In flight it may resemble a Sparrowhawk, but its large, owl-like head separates it.
Family
Strigidae
Size
Large (crow)
Colours
brown, white, grey, black
About the habitat
Open and semi-open boreal forest with bogs, clearings, burnt areas and forest edges, with tall lookout perches and snags for nesting.
Diet
Mainly voles and other small rodents, as well as small birds and occasionally squirrels; in winter it caches surplus prey.
Behaviour
Hunts mostly by day from exposed treetops and poles, scanning for prey and making swift, hawk-like dives. It perches conspicuously and flicks its tail. It nests in broken-topped trees and old woodpecker holes; the female incubates while the male brings food. Adults are extremely bold at the nest and may attack intruders, even moose.
Sources
Photo: Dan Frendin, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Surnia ulula - Northern Hawk-Owl, Hökuggla.jpg
Text: Wikipedia (English) + FinBIF species descriptions, CC BY-SA 4.0; FinBIF: CC BY 4.0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_hawk-owl
