Boreal Owl

Nyctale de Tengmalm

Boreal Owl - Aegolius funereus

Rare and seldom seen, this is the slightly larger and more northerly cousin of ...
Read more

Nyctale de Tengmalm

Boreal Owl - Aegolius funereus

Rare and seldom seen, this is the slightly larger and more northerly cousin of the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Distinguished from Northern Saw-whet by its colder gray-brown coloration and spotted (not streaked) forehead. Small size and boldly spotted body separate it from other owls. Fast tooting call is similar to a displaying Wilson's Snipe but with a clearer whistled tone and steadier volume. Difficult to find without a lot of effort; most often seen during "irruption" winters when large numbers move south in search of prey. Even then, requires intense searching of conifer groves to find a roosting bird during the daytime. Sometimes hunts small rodents around birdfeeders. Nests in tree cavities in forests with spruce, fir, aspen, and poplar.

Strigidés • Long. 24 cm Env. 55 cm

Petite chouette rarement observée. On remarque facilement son front foncé tacheté de points blancs, en forme de V. La poitrine est rayée à la verticale de roux et de blanc. Le dos est foncé tacheté de blanc. Les yeux sont jaunes et le bec est pâle.

Les deux sexes sont semblables.

Les points blancs sur le front foncé la distingue de la Petite Nyctale. Cette dernière a plutôt des rayures blanches sur le font et est encore plus petite.

Vit dans les forêts et les parcs, et est très rarement aperçue dans les banlieues. Présente, mais rare, sur tout le Québec au sud de la Baie James.
Read less