About the Northern Hawk-Owl
The northern hawk-owl or northern hawk owl, is a medium-sized true owl of the northern latitudes. It is non-migratory and usually stays within its breeding range, though it sometimes irrupts southward. It is one of the few owls that is not strictly nocturnal nor crepuscular, often being active during the day. This is the only living species in the genus Surnia of the family Strigidae, the "typical" owls. The species is sometimes called simply the hawk owl; however, many species of owls in the genus Ninox are also called "hawk owls".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Male northern hawk-owls are generally 35–42.5 cm (13.8–16.7 in) long, and weigh about 300 g (11 oz). Females are slightly bigger with a length of 37.2–44.7 cm (14.6–17.6 in) and a weight of about 340 g (12 oz). Both male and female have similar wingspans of about 69–82 cm (27–32 in). The plumage is relatively dark brown with an off-white spotting pattern on all dorsal parts of the body with the exception of the back of the neck which boasts a black v-shaped pattern. The underbelly is generally white or off-white which continues to the toes with brown bands on the breast and stomach. Voice: Various calls are used by the different sexes in different situations. When attracting a mate the male usually lets out a rolled whistle of ulululululululul and a sound similar to tu-wita-wit, tiwita-tu-wita, wita, when perching at a potential nest site. The female's call is usually less constant and more shrill.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Northern Hawk-Owl sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Canada, France, Netherlands.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Northern BoobookNinox japonicaNinox japonica is a hawk owl species with a body length averaging between 29 and 33 cm and a wingspan of approximately 60 to 70 cm wide.
Mottled OwlStrix virgataThe mottled owl is a medium-sized owl with adults reaching 280 to 355 mm (11 to 14 in) in length.
Spotted Eagle-OwlBubo africanusThe spotted eagle-owl, also known as the African spotted eagle-owl and the African eagle-owl, is a medium-sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls.
Learn the Northern Hawk-Owl for real
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