|
 |
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Chick Type: Semialtricial Northern Saw-whet Owls are found in the southern half of Canada, western US and the northeast year round. They winter in much of the northern half of the United States. They also range along the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in Mexico. Like many species of owls, Saw-whet owls are secondary cavity nesters, they use cavities that are made by primary cavity nesters such as woodpeckers. Nesting boxes are used as well. Cavity nesters are at the mercy of available cavities for nesting, their natural histories are tied in with primary cavity nesters. Saw-whets breed in coniferous forests and sometimes will use mix hardwoods. Nests generally have 5 to 6 eggs and the incubation time is alittle less than a month, the chicks will fledge in a month's time. Diet consists of small rodents, such as Deer mice and small to medium sized birds. The western race is known to eat aquatic & marine invertebrates. There are four species of owls in the genus Aegolius. They are the Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl and Buff-fronted Owl. Northern Saw-whet and the Boreal Owls can be found in North America, while Unspotted Saw-whet Owls are found in Central America, and the Buff-fronted Owl are found in South America. There are two subspecies of the Northern Saw-whet Owl (A.a. acadicus & A. a. brooksi). Good forestry techniques are vital in protecting populations of secondary cavity nesters. Health forests should be structurally complex; they should include elements such as large trees, dead trees (snags), dead wood debris and an understory. Today, many forestry management plans include leaving snags for wildlife. Typical management plans should include sustainable timber harvesting, habitat diversity for wildlife and protecting aquatic systems. |
|
     |
 |
