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The boreal owl or Tengmalm's owl is a small owl in the "true owl" family Strigidae. It is known as the boreal owl or, more rarely, Richardson's owl after Sir John Richardson, in North America, and as Tengmalm's owl in Europe and Asia, after the Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The boreal owl is small with a large head and long wings. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though females are larger. Males typically measure 21–25 cm (8–10 in) in length, with a wingspan of 55–58 cm (22–23 in), while females are larger, 25–28 cm (10–11 in), with a wingspan of 59–62 cm (23–24 in). Females, weighing 132–215 g (4.7–7.6 oz) are heavier than males, which weigh 93–139 g (3.3–4.9 oz).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Boreal Owl sounds like
Where the Boreal Owl lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, United Kingdom, Mongolia, Netherlands, Georgia, India, Luxembourg.
When to see the Boreal Owl
Peak activity in March · a passage migrant species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicusAdults are 17–22 cm (6.7–8.7 in) long with a 42–56.3 cm (16.5–22.2 in) wingspan.
Buff-fronted OwlAegolius harrisiiThe buff-fronted owl is 19 to 21 cm (7.5 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 104 to 155 g (3.7 to 5.5 oz).
Unspotted Saw-whet OwlAegolius ridgwayiThe unspotted saw-whet owl is 18 to 21.5 cm (7.1 to 8.5 in) long and weighs about 80 to 90 g (2.8 to 3.2 oz).
Side by side: Boreal Owl vs Northern Saw-whet Owl
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