Northern saw-whet owl: a feathered phantom

At roughly three to four ounces and between seven to eight inches in length, the northern saw-whet owl is the northeast region’s smallest owl. Similar in size to an adult human’s clenched fist, with brilliant yellow eyes and a black beak, the tiny bird appears somewhat larger in flight due to its 17- to 22-inch wing span.

This fetching owl hunts only at night and prefers deer mice, shrews, voles, small birds and the occasional insect. Most of us will never be lucky enough to see a saw-whet in the wild, due to its nocturnal nature. During the day, northern saw-whets roost in camouflaging foliage not far from the ground.

The saw-whet is an efficient predator, with needle-like talons that enable it to quickly dispatch its prey. When prey is abundant, the saw-whet will harvest multiple meals and stash them for future sustenance. In winter, saw-whets will “roost” on a frozen carcass to thaw it for consumption. The petite owl is easy prey for other raptors, particularly larger owls.

The saw-whet prefers dense coniferous and deciduous forests with secondary shrub coverage. More tolerant of human activity than many raptors, it will withstand substantial human intrusion before moving off to a quieter location. Late fall and early winter offer better possibilities for encountering these tiny owls, as they tend to gather in groups at this time of year.