Wild Things in Your Woodlands

摘要

Despite being one of the most common owls of northern US forests, the Northern saw-whet owl is seldom seen. They are highly nocturnal, hunting from dusk to dawn and then roosting in the thick cover of conifers during the day, avoiding predators and birders alike. You may be more familiar with their piercing "too-too-too" calls that ring through the forest January through May as eager males try to attract mates and establish their breeding territories. These calls are repeated many times, sometimes for hours. It's one of their calls that gave rise to their name, since settlers likened the sound to a whetting stone sharpening a saw. If you're really keen on spotting a saw-whet, look for them under the dense cover of small conifers. They're usually roosting relatively low to the ground, just above eye level (around 3 to 8 feet). Take note of the behavior of small songbirds'as well. If they find a roosting saw-whet, songbirdswill start mobbing the owl, calling and flying and making a ruckus, and exposing the location of the now irritated owl.