The Northern Saw-whet Owl (aegolius acadicus) is commonly present in Pennsylvania woods year round. It is one of the smallest owls, being about the size of a Robin. Adults are 6-3/4″-8=3/4″ (17–22 cm) long with a 16-1/2″-22-1/4″ (42–56.3 cm) wingspan. It is native to North America and was named by settlers for the male’s mating call which sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whet stone. It can go on for hours. Its hearing is peculiarly good at precisely locating the source of sounds. This is attributed to its assymetrical placement of its ears. Think Stephen Colbert.
The Saw-whet Owl prefers northern coniferous forests and is very cold tolerant. It swoops down on its prey (almost exclusively small mammals) from a high perch.
Family: Owls
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