Northern Saw-whet Owl: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Creatures of the Night · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Saw-whet owl feathers glow neon pink under UV light, a trick scientists use to track molt cycles and age.
2. Its too-too-too call can travel up to 300 m through forest, and it has at least 11 distinct vocalizations.
3. In Wisconsin, about 68 % of its prey was deer mice, 16 % voles and 9 % shrews.
4. Females weigh roughly 100 g while males average 75 g, so researchers can sex individuals by weight.
5. Saw-whet owls lay about four to six white eggs, in tree holes or old woodpecker holes.

The quiz

1. What happens to their feathers under UV light?

• They turn invisible
• They glow neon pink (correct)
• They glow bright green
• They turn black

Their feathers glow neon pink under UV light.

2. How far can the call travel through forest?

• Up to 300 m (correct)
• Up to 30 m
• Up to 3 km
• Up to 3,000 km

The call can travel up to 300 m through forest.

3. In Wisconsin, which prey made up about 68 % of the diet?

• Voles
• Shrews
• Deer mice (correct)
• Small birds

Deer mice accounted for about 68 % of captured prey.

4. About how much do males weigh on average?

• 25 g
• 150 g
• 300 g
• 75 g (correct)

Males average 75 g, while females weigh roughly 100 g.

5. About how many eggs does a saw-whet owl lay?

• About four to six (correct)
• Just one
• About 20
• About 50

It lays about four to six white eggs.

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