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(Photos by Marcel Gahbauer)
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Size: 36-44 cm
(similar to small Crow). Description: Brown back and
wings, long tail, finely barred underparts, black rim around the face,
no ear tufts. Range: Year-round resident in all
provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia;
some migrate south in winter. Habitat: Boreal forests
and clearings in summer; open areas in winter. Nest:
In hollows of trees, or on abandoned nests of crows or
hawks. Voice: Sharp chattering or a low hooting
trill. Diet: Mostly rodents in summer, and primarily
birds in winter. Behaviour: Mostly diurnal, only
rarely active at night. Notes: Often perches on the
very top of spruce trees. Hunts by swooping down at prey, then returning
to a high perch. Unique among owls in relying more on vision than
hearing for hunting. Family group remains together through fall and
winter. |