![[Northern Saw-Whet Owl information.]](/wildlife/art/sawwhet.gif)
What do they look like?Saw-whet owls are the smallest owl in eastern North America Rusty brown with streaked breast, they are about the size of an average adults clenched fist an they weigh as much as an American Robin.
Where are they found?
Northern saw-whet owls are a rare breeding bird in Maryland, primarily restricted to the mountains of Garrett County. They migrate throughout
the state in the spring and fall and spend the winter on the Eastern Shore.
What do they eat?
This owl hunts almost entirely at night and captures prey by dropping down from perches. Saw-whet owls have exceptionally well developed hearing and vision that they use to locate their prey.
Although opportunistic predators, they prefer deer mice, voles, jumping mice, shrews and occasionally small songbirds.
What other kind of owls are found in Maryland?
The barn owl, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, barred owl, long-eared owl, and short eared owl live in Maryland. The snowy owl will sometimes spend the winter in Maryland.
I didn't know that!
Saw-whet owls are strictly nocturnal and seldom observed. Most bird watchers consider seeing one a "once in a lifetime" experience. Few people ever see a live saw-whet owl.
Drawing by: W.H. Henry