Northern Saw-whet Owl - Dickinson's Birds

Occurrence in Amherst & Connecticut Valley, Mass.

C19

Very rare visitor

October

C20

Mainly a transient or winter visitor, most often recorded in the late autumn and in March, but also found breeding, at least in the hill country. It has almost never been seen or heard between late May, when the young leave the nest-hole, and mid-October, when migrants beguin to arrive; and at any time can only be noted with good luck

October - April

C21

Resident; though the saw-whet owl is considered to be a resident in Massachusetts, there is evidence of much shifting within the extensive breeding range from October through December; there is also evidence of a return from March to May

January - December

Habitat

Coniferous woodlands; in winter, also in evergreeen thickets in parks, gardens, and estates; also isolated pines. (National Audubon Society)

Nest Materials

Nests in previously excavated holes (usually those of Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers) in dead snags. (Clark 1906; allaboutbirds.org)

19th-20th Century Field Notes

SAW - WHET OWL . Above , purplish - brown , marked with white ; beneath , white , marked with tawny . Length , 6 - 8 inches . One instance . Amherst , Oct . , 1886 . Now in Mr . C . R . Ken field ' s collection .

—H.L. Clark, 1887

21st Century Conservation Notes

Probably some declines in numbers with loss of habitat, but still widespread and fairly common.*