Northern Hawk Owl Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  Medium-sized owl with an oval-shaped body accentuated by a long and pointed tail. It flies on short and pointed wings.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Boreal Owl, smaller than a Great Horned Owl.

  crow-sized

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 14.2-17.7 in (36-45 cm)
    • Weight: 8.5-16.0 oz (240-454 g)
    • Wingspan: 27.9 in (71 cm)

  © Luke Seitz / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Yellow eyes peer out from a white face with a distinctive black border. Northern Hawk Owls are brown above with white spots and have brown horizontal stripes across their underparts.

• Behavior

  This owl is primarily active during the day, but it also hunts at night. It perches atop prominent trees leaning forward as it scans for prey. It glides low over the ground and flaps with deep and powerful wingbeats.
• Habitat

  Found in open coniferous or mixed forests near open or marshy areas. Often found in areas dotted with spruce trees, but avoids dense stands of conifers.