Northern Saw-Whet Owl

**AJE** · 07-03-2007, 02:04 PM

Northern Saw-Whet Owl
aka Aegolius acadicus

This is the female of our species and I will be telling you all about us today. Before I start telling you what we look like I wanted to clue you in on a few other names that we go by. We have been known as the: blind owl, Kirkland's owl, sparrow owl, Acadian owl, white-fronted owl, the sawyer, farmland owl, Little Nightbird, Queen Charlotte owl, and even the whet-saw owl. Why all these aliases I'll never know but it does make for interesting speculation.

Ok now I am a little larger then the male of our species which does seem to be the determining factor of all our kind. We are a very small, short-bodied type with an overly large head. Must need that large head to hold that big brain that we have. ha! Ha! Our head is earless and we look smaller when we perch on trees but in flight we appear a lot larger because of our broad wings. We have a gorgeous fluffy reddish or brown plumage streaked with white underneath and spots on our back. We have a greyish face and huge bright yellow eyes. Our plumage is helpful to us when hiding in foliage and when we really feel threatened we straighten our bodies and appear like a tree branch. It really works quite well and fools a lot of those dangerous animals out there that would like to do bodily harm to us.

Our appetites lean mostly towards mice and even then usually just their heads. What you humans would call the filet mignon. We have also been known to eat squirrels, moles, and bats. We hunt mainly at dawn and dusk those being the safest time for us. Many times we will kill as many a six mice in a row and only eat one or two and save the rest for later. We bury them in a safe spot for the winter months and then thaw them out as we need them. Sort of like the squirrel burying his nuts. Hey where do you think they got the idea from? We have also been known to eat frogs and insects but only when absolutly necessary.

We usually get the urge to start a family between the months of March and July. Our male will start his courtship by singing me a beautiful song and flying above me and then bringing me a gift of a small bird. I build my nest in dead trees usually about 13-20 ft. high. Once the male has accomplished his part aside from bringing me food and guarding the nest it usually takes me about 26 to 28 days to deliver around 5 to 6 little babies. They are usually on their own in about a month but may come back to visit from time to time till they're sure of themselves.

Our homes our widely scattered throughout Canada and North America and sometimes as far south as Florida. We are a nomadic bunch and never stay in one place to long. We do like the forests of all these places the deeper the better. So there's a good chance that you might catch a glimpse of us, heck it could be in your very own backyard. Wouldn't that be cool?

The little girl is holding the Northern Saw Whet Owl, which she is about to release back into the wild after being caught by the team of naturalist. (This select team of the "Night Gang"; which includes my own family) will catch the owls to be monitored and then ban them before their release. Our particular Owls have been documented from upper portions of Ontario, Canada down to South Carolina.

Quote:

Owlfest is set at Woodland Dunes Nature Center Two Rivers, WI
(located on Hwy 310 west) 920-793-4007

October 14, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Join us for our annual celebration of the migration of the saw-whet owl. Each year we band hundreds of these tiny birds to learn about their migration patterns. You'll be able to watch the banding process, explore the autumnal bloom in the butterfly garden, explore the trails, participate in activities, and see what's new in the gift shop. The Friends of Woodland Dunes wil be selling brats, hot dogs and drinks. Join us for a fascinating natural adventure. Admission: $2.50 per person; $5.00 per family. For a $10 donation, you can join in THE AMAZING HIKE. You'll get your passport stamped at checkpoints as you hike Woodland Dunes' trails. Participants will get a T-shirt and lunch, and will compete for prizes.

Me holding a Saw Whet Owl

Last autumn when I caught my first Saw Whet on my shift I treated the little birds just like a child. Talking sweetly and being very gentle as I untangled the lil one from the net. Bernie was with us on this mission. We caught a record amount of birds last fall. I'm looking forward to monitoring many more in the near future.

**AJE** · 07-03-2007, 02:12 PM

An Owl’s Life

Owls are predators–they catch, kill and eat other animals in order to survive. This predation is neither cruel nor wasteful and has been going on for millions of years. It seldom upsets anything except perhaps a few people. An owl killing and eating another animal is no different from a robin eating a worm or a gull eating a fish. Although some owl species are diurnal (active by day), most owls hunt at night and are seldom observed by humans. Because of this nocturnal (nighttime) existence, they are little known and often misunderstood, even though some owls live their entire lives in close proximity to man.

Hunting at night, owls use their extraordinary vision and excellent hearing to locate their prey. Special adaptations such as wide wings, lightweight bodies and unusually soft, fluffy feathers allow them to fly silently. Owls seize their prey, usually a rodent or other small mammal, and kill it with their powerful feet. If the prey is small enough, it is swallowed whole; otherwise the food is torn apart by the owl’s strong, hooked beak.

The owl’s digestive system assimilates the nutritious portions of the prey; the undigested parts (hair, bones, claws, teeth, etc.) are regurgitated in the form of pellets. These pellets, found at roosting sites, can be examined to determine the owl’s diet.

There are eighteen species of owls in North America; eight of these can be found in our area. Some species, like the Screech Owl and Great-horned Owl, live here year-round; others, like the Snowy Owl and the Saw-whet Owl, are winter visitors.

Even though some areas we live in is densely inhabited, most of our native owl populations appear stable. There have been some adverse effects on certain species due mainly to habitat loss and other environmental factors. The Barred Owl, for example, a year-round dweller in swamps and deep woods, is on the Threatened Species list in Wisconsin because of diminishing habitat.

All owls are protected by state and federal regulations. It is illegal to kill or capture an owl; it is also illegal to possess an owl, living or dead, without the proper permits from both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Wisconsin.

Owls pose no threat to humans, although adult birds will defend their territory and their young against any intruders, human or otherwise. Unfortunately, superstitions and untruths about owls still persist which have subjected this group of birds to unwarranted suspicion and persecution. We hope, with knowledge and understanding of the owl’s true character, these fears and misgivings will be replaced by tolerance and respect for these unique birds.

**AJE** · 09-15-2007, 08:32 PM

Volunteers Needed for 2007 Night Gang!

Hi all this is for those interested in becoming involved in the Saw Whet Owl DNR migration project. You must attend the introduction class to North Americans smallest owl the Saw Whet. It will be located at Woodland Dunes Nature Center in Two Rivers (Manitowoc County) this Wen the 19th at 7PM. You'll get an overview to the birds and further instructions. A sign up sheet will be available from then until after Thanksgiving; voluteers will be needed at the following timeframes 10PM, 12AM and 2AM. I highly would consider this special and very unique oppertunity.

Happy Owl Catching!

:arrow: PS: Owlfest is schedualed for Sat Oct 20, 2007 to begin around 8AM.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-17-2007, 07:22 AM

Wish I was closer. I'd love to do this.

Great pictures

**AJE** · 09-18-2007, 02:41 PM

The Night Gang does not harm the birds. Dress for the weather, it does get cold out... but the thrill will last a lifetime. I have signed up to work several dates, but I won't be at the meeting tomarrow.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-21-2007, 04:34 PM

What is the address location of this again. I want to mapquest it
Carol

**AJE** · 10-14-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

What is the address location of this again. I want to mapquest it
Carol

Hey all the directions to Two Rivers and Woodland Dunes Nature Center is located at this website

Welcome To Woodland Dunes Nature Center

Tonight my family aka "Night Gang" caught 12 Saw Whet Owls and all are newbies meaning they'll be banned tomarrow before being released back to the wild for continuing the trek of migrating south. Amazing night only a few were solo, the others were all found together as a flock. ;-)

Sat Oct 20th is Owlfest at Woodland Dunes, a great family event. The owls are the main attraction but there will be many activities. Every year more non-local families are attending. Hope to see you there. Don't forget a camera as these are the most adorible Owls.

**AJE** · 10-16-2007, 07:27 AM

Owlfest Woodland Dunes Nature Center

Saturday, October 20, 8 a.m. to noon
$2.50/person, $5/family

Everyone loves Owlfest! Watch as our experts band the diminutive saw-whet owls, then release them as part of an on-going research program. Explore the butterfly garden, buy native plants, check out displays and visit the Nature Shop. There will be nature activities the kids will love, and a variety of refreshments sold by The Friends of Woodland Dunes. The Amazing Hike is back by popular demand! For a $10 donation you get a T-shirt and a passport to have stamped as you hike Woodland Dunes' trails. Everyone completing the hike will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 10-16-2007, 08:33 AM

How fun! This would be so great to attend. I have a full weekend ahead of me and won't be able to sneak away.
One of these times I'm hoping to make a day trip to attend this.

Carol

**AJE** · 10-16-2007, 09:32 AM

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Aegolius acadicus

Their small size and timid habits can make these owls even harder to find. About the size of a robin, they are prey to larger owls, like the great horned owl, so they tend to stick to cover and flocks.

While their winter range is diverse and probably varies yearly, its known that northern saw-whets tend to roost in dense conifers near the edge of extensive woodlands. “It certainly seemed possible that the mixture of woodland, marsh and pocket prairies seem a perfect habitat at Woodland Dunes,” located just outside of Two Rivers, WI.

The Saw Whet Owl flocks migrate three routes here in WI...along the Mississippi border and then head due southeast. Through the central portion of the state and since they are afraid to fly over Lake Michigan they will parallel the shorelines of Wisconsin, which is the importance of the Woodland Dunes location. The scientist will be able to determine whether or not we are catching the same bird or, demograph the locations when someone else catches it whether in Canada or Southern US. The statistics collected include the weight, wing length, age, sex, all will be sent to the Wisconsin DNR, USGS and other organizations to improve the overall national data of this tiny owl species.

How do we capture the birds? I’ll reveal how we capture these adorable owls, but I will not disclose the locations of research for safety to civilians and to the birds. The "Night Gang" is a group of volunteers on shift increments who untangle the birds from a net. We use nets about 12 meters long and with a central audio recording of a males “toot” to lure the curious birds. The nets don’t hurt the birds, but the startled lil ones just may claw out or occasionally bite while the “Night Gang” is in the process of untangling the lil bodies. My family utilizes varies of tools such as a flashlight, sharpened chopstick, and mini scissors to release the bird. Once we untangle the birds we place them into special boxes for the registered ornithologist to ban the next morning. The information obtained from the Banding is a very important part of the study.

If your one with nature and love animals; then I would consider a few nights to assist in the preservation of this species. The brisk cool air of the moonlight night of a fall evening on a short ½ mile hike through the forest will bond to you. Some nights no Saw Whet Owls will be captured but then again you never know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE

Dress for the weather, it does get cold out... but the thrill will last a lifetime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE

Tonight my family aka "Night Gang" caught 12 Saw Whet Owls and all are newbies meaning they'll be banned tomorrow before being released back to the wild for continuing the trek of migrating south.

**AJE** · 10-16-2007, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolsCritterCare

How fun! This would be so great to attend. I have a full weekend ahead of me and won't be able to sneak away.
One of these times I'm hoping to make a day trip to attend this.

Carol

Carol how about I'll let you know more information when next year comes around, you can stay the weekend or a night with my parents. Let me know what your schedule is like, I might go a few more times as the season of study ends the end of November. Send me an email.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 10-16-2007, 09:59 AM

Please do keep posting this information. One of these times, either this year or next I want to come to this. It's a bit of a drive, but then I drive to Valparasio, Indiana for one of my vets!

**AJE** · 10-16-2007, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE

Hey all the directions to Two Rivers and Woodland Dunes Nature Center is located at this website

Welcome To Woodland Dunes Nature Center

Tonight my family aka "Night Gang" caught 12 Saw Whet Owls and all are newbies meaning they'll be banned tomarrow before being released back to the wild for continuing the trek of migrating south. Amazing night only a few were solo, the others were all found together as a flock. ;-)

The shift of 2AM and 4 Am caught an additional 6 owls. Grand Total for last sat was 18 birds.