Northern Saw-whet Owl vs Snowy Owl
Aegolius acadicus compared with Bubo scandiacus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Northern Saw-whet Owl | Snowy Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegolius acadicus | Bubo scandiacus |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | 63.0 cm (24.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 145.0 cm (57.1 in) |
| Weight | 89.75 g (3.17 oz) | 2100.0 g (74.08 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Primarily lemmings on the breeding grounds, where a pair may consume over 1,500 per year. … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 3-14 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Snowy Owl
Arctic tundra for breeding. Winters in open habitats resembling tundra, including prairies, airports, shorelines, and agricultural fields.
Song & Call Comparison
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Snowy Owl
Male gives a deep booming hoot 'hooooo' and a rising 'hoo-hoo' series. Also barks sharply when alarmed. Quieter than many owls; silent during long Arctic winter hunts.
Geographic Range & Migration
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Snowy Owl
Circumpolar Arctic for breeding. Irruptive winter movements bring birds south to the northern United States, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation Status
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Snowy Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Snowy Owl
Adult males are almost entirely white. Females and immatures have dark brown barring and spotting. Yellow eyes and fully feathered feet.
Dark hooked bill mostly hidden by dense facial feathering
About These Birds
Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet Owl (<em>Aegolius acadicus</em>) is a small nocturnal raptor in the family Strigidae, found across forested and wetland habitats of North America. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions beyond nesting parameters are limited in the available data fields, though the species is relatively well studied. It is assessed as Least Concern globally. This species nests in tree cavities, often utilizing old woodpecker holes, and does not excavate its own nest site. Incubation lasts approximately 27 to 29 days, and …
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and one of the most charismatic Arctic birds. Unlike most owls, it is largely diurnal, necessitated by the continuous daylight of Arctic summers. Snowy owl irruptions — periodic mass southward movements — are tied to lemming population cycles.