Northern Saw-whet Owl
Tristan & Tiresias
Tristan, possibly female, this bird was found in NW Oregon in October 2006 and brought into a vet clinic, and then transferred to Wildlife Rescue of the North Coast with an injury to the left shoulder. Despite immobilization for 6 weeks, the wing did not heal sufficiently well to allow flight and migration. She was transferred to CRC in January 2007.
Tiresias, probably female, was found in juvenile plumage in late August 2007 - huddled against a garage in Florence for over 24 hours. Functionally blind and very ema-ciated, she was probably cared for by her parents as long as they could but was ultimately abandoned. The inside of her eyes looked normal, so the damage was to the optic nerve or brain - and since there was no sign of trauma, we assume that it was congenital rather than from a collision. She has regained some vision, particularly distance, but her near vision is still poor. Probably blind from hatch, she may not have imprinted on her own species but has socialized well to people.
Isolde, probably female, was brought to CRC in November 1995 after being hit by a car near Oakridge. She had a fractured right wing which healed imperfectly because she kept picking at, and removing, the splint - possibly because of nerve damage. We lost Isolde to complications from old age on April 23, 2008.
We lost Isis in late 2006, another female saw-whet owl who had been with us for 12 years, to a systemic infection. She was blind in one eye and a cataract was developing in the other, leading her to spend more time on the ground and low in the cage. She apparently developed a foot infection between our last health exam in June and mid-July, when she died. Her immune system may also have been somewhat compromised because of the steroids we were using to help control the inflammation in her eye and the stress of handling. She was a good foster mother and educational ambassador and will be very difficult to replace.
Isis and Isolde
had an opportunity to foster some orphans a few years ago
unusual in that since saw-whets typically nest at higher elevations, we do
not get a lot of babies in. Adults usually come in during the late fall and
winter, when they are present in the valley.
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
This is a small woodland species, with a relatively
large head, a short tail, and long wings. This little owl has a prominent
facial 
disc of feathers, and lacks the ear-tufts seen in the larger Western
Screech Owl. Females are larger than males, and the sexes look alike.
Juveniles are a chocolate brown color above, a bright rust color below, with
a white triangle on the forehead. Adult owls of both sexes have upperparts
that are reddish-brown with white-speckles, and underparts that are white
with a soft, rufous-brown streaking. The pale buff-colored facial disc
frames white, v-shaped eyebrows, and a black bill. Flight is usually low and
direct from one point to another, on rapid wingbeats with the wing held
mostly below the horizontal.
Saw-whet Owl
Notes
Size - Length: 8" ave. • Wing Span: 17" ave. • Weight: 2.8 oz. ave.
Range - Breeding range extends from southeast Alaska across southern
Canada, and down into the western US, west of the Rockies. Winter range
covers the same areas, but some owls will migrate further south and east
across the US.
Status - State and federally protected.
Habitat - These owls are found in a variety of woodland habitats,
from dense coniferous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, riparian
woods, to wooded swamplands. In breeding season, they favor mature to
old-growth stands of trees for nesting, and roost during the day in or near
the nest hole. In winter, these owls most often choose a daytime roost close
to the end of a low evergreen branch, where they are easily approachable.
Diet - These little owls hunt most actively in the semi-nocturnal
(dawn and dusk) hours, but are also nocturnal hunters. Rodents are their
favorite prey; they locate potential meals from a low perch, then swoop down
to pounce on prey on the ground. Other small mammals, birds, and insects are
also taken.
Call - The distinctive call for which the Northern Saw-whet Owl is
named is a rasping, metallic, screeching sound like a saw being sharpened:
shhwweee!....shhwweee!....shhwweee! A rising, cat-like, three-part screech.
In breeding season, their main call is a very long, mellow, low whistled
note poopoopoopoopoopoopoopoopoo..., rapidly repeating, up to 130 times per
minute.
Nesting - These owls are primarily cavity nesters, and use old
woodpecker holes in mature to old-growth stands of trees. They are also
known to nest in dense vegetation in some areas, where tree cavities aren't
available.
Most Common Problems - Collisions with vehicles, as well as flying into windows. Loss of prime breeding habitat is also a problem for this little woodland owl.
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