A slender, long-tailed owl of far northern forests. Adult has dark wings with white spots, horizontal brownish bars underneath, long brown tail, spotted crown, white face framed by black, and yellow eyes. Lacks ear tufts. Sexes are similar.

Length: 41 (cm) Wingspan: 72 (cm)

Voice:

Variety of trills, whistles, screams, and rattles.

Habitat:

Conifer forests, swamps, burned areas, bogs, meadows.

Behavior:

Typically active in daylight hours. Nests in broken tree hollow or cavity. Often fearless around humans.

Feeding:

Hunts by sight as much as sound; sits on perch then pounces on prey below. Eats mice, voles, lemmings, birds, and other small animals.