Boreal Owl

Very Rare Owl to New Brunswick

Boreal Owl

The Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) is a very rare owl to see in New Brunswick.  It does inhabit areas north of us but rarely comes this far south.  Never-the-less it is good to know its characteristics in case we come across one sometime.  The Boreal Owl is an Aegolius owl, a species to which the Northern Saw-whet Owl also belongs.  It is easy to tell they are cousins because they look a lot alike. 

Where does the Boreal Owl live?  It normally inhabits Newfoundland, Labrador and the northern areas of Quebec, Ontario and westward to Alaska.  It also ranges in mountainous areas in the western mountains southward into the north-western US.  It is a holarctic species and exists in Scandinavia, Russia and eastward.  It rarely is found in the northern parts of the United Kingdom.  In Europe this species is known as the Tengmalm's Owl.  It has this name in Europe because it is named after the Swedish naturalist, Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.

The Boreal Owl is 25 cm/10 in  long so is very tiny.  For comparison, the Northern Saw-whet is 20 cm/8 in long.  It is more dark chocolate brown in colour than the saw-whet which is more reddish brown.  The Boreal Owl has round spots on its forehead which is a key distinguishing feature to tell it from the saw-whet which has streaks on its forehead.  The Boreal has gray facial disks with a dark border compared to the saw-whet which has a buffy colour in the facial disks and no dark borders to the disks.  The young of each species are similar but the Boreal juvenile is much darker brown with little or no rufous brown.  They both have white eyebrows.  The juveniles of both of these species are shockingly different looking from the adults.  

Boreal Owl

The Boreal Owl is strictly nocturnal and prefers the boreal forest or mixed coniferous forest.  It roosts during the day in thick coniferous trees usually close to the trunk.  It feeds mainly on small rodents but occasionally takes small birds, amphibians and insects.  It hunts from low branches and takes its prey usually with a single glide from its perch.  This species nests in abandoned woodpecker holes in trees.  It occasionally will use a nest box.  When prey is scarce in its normal range, usually the females will fly southward looking for better habitat.  Juveniles disperse widely.  The photos above were taken by me in November, 2003, when just that happened.  A Boreal Owl wandered from the north to find a better living here.  Unfortunately it was so spent when it arrived it succumbed shortly after its arrival.  

Records for the appearance of this species in NB are from anywhere in the province and usually from October to March.  There was an invasion in the winter of 1922-23 and thereafter it bred on Grand Manan until the 1940s.  The Breeding Bird Atlas of the 1980s indicated it may be breeding on Miscou Island.  It certainly should be looked for in coniferous forest of the north of the province even today.

Boreal Owl [Internet Photo]

This owl, being so small, is definitely difficult to find even when it is present.  It is best located by its voice at night.  Birders will recognize its voice as being the first of the play series used for the owl survey.  It is also on the 'mobbing tape' known to many of our birders.  If you happen to see a very small owl, take a good look at its forehead and facial disks to see if you are lucky enough to find a Boreal Owl.  Good luck!