Select here to go directly to the main text of the page
World Owl Trust - leading the World in Owl Conservation
Monday February 8th, 2010


Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Click on small image to view larger one   Surnia ulula
As of February 2005.
Description Medium sized slender owl with long tail. Dark greyish (grayish) above with white spots, whitish below with dense, dark barring. Indistinct, whitish facial disk with black border. Yellow eyes.
Size 36-41cm, 270-400g
Range Boreal zones of N America and Eurasia.
Habitat Open boreal coniferous forest with moorland.
Food Mainly small mammals particularly lemmings and voles, but also birds, frogs and even fish.
Breeding April-May, nests in cavities on rotting stumps, and in trees and woodpecker holes. 5-13 eggs are incubated for 25-30 days, and the young leave the nest by 30 days after hatching and can fly within another 2 weeks. They become independent after a further 8 weeks.
Call Purring, 3-4 second, melodious trill.
Status Not globally threatened, but never particularly numerous. Numbers fluctuate with rodent populations, but believed to have declined in Europe.
Comments Although a familiar owl, more studies are required on the ecology of this species.
Races No additional information.
S.u.ulula From Scandinavia through Siberia to Sakhalin and N China
S.u.tianschanica Tien Shan
S.u.caparoch Alaska across N. America to Labrador

  Click on logo to access the Excellence Through People Web site World Owl Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1107529
Limited Company Number: 5296745		 Positive About Disabled People logo  
The World Owl Trust is a member of BIAZA
The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.
The World Owl Trust is a member of EAZA

Any comments, errors or problems please contact the webmaster