General

Boreal Owl: Medium-sized owl with white-spotted, brown upperparts and thick brown-streaked, white underparts. Head is black with numerous small white spots, face is white, and eyes are yellow-orange. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has a dark face, arched white eyebrows, and dark brown underparts.

Range and Habitat

Boreal Owl: Occurs in most of northern Canada and the Rocky mountains down to New Mexico. Preferred habitats include old-growth forests with woodpecker cavities for nesting.

Breeding and Nesting

Boreal Owl: Two to six white eggs are laid in an old woodpecker hole or natural tree cavity; sometimes nests in artificial boxes. Incubation ranges from 28 to 29 days and is carried out by the female; male brings her food while on the nest.

Foraging and Feeding

Boreal Owl: Prey consists mainly of voles, lemmings, shrews, mice, and moles; occasionally takes small birds, squirrels, bats, frogs, and large beetles; hunts from low branch or tree trunk.

Vocalization

Boreal Owl: Call is a series of "poop" notes followed by a three to four second break, and then another series; number of notes and timing vary dependent upon individual.

Similar Species

Boreal Owl: Saw-whet Owl is smaller, has black bill and red-brown on facial disk.