Boreal Owl’s are inquisitive and solitary birds. They feel it their duty to rule the forest edges, woodlands, urban and suburban parks and yards in Alaska, Canada, Northern Europe and in the mountains of the Western United States. They take over a tree and make it their own keeping all other birds away or at least at a distance. They prefer hopping around the forest and woodland edges looking for things to eat. They seem to prefer hopping or sprinting around most of the time rather than flying. But they can fly when needed.

With your binoculars take some time and look for general markings and characteristics, things that you notice right off. Do not spend a lot of time trying to memorize different aspects of the Boreal Owl’s. Just look for general information and then you will be able to quickly recognize what group these birds belong to by noticing size, general shape, colors and their behavior.

I suggest that you keep a note book of these characteristics. You can add to it from time to time. This will help you understand and learn. But be patient and note things only one at a time. Otherwise you may get tired and discouraged because you can’t remember everything at once. It will all come in time as you watch these birds. Also take a look at the field marks such as a wingbar and eyering markings to tie some IDs down.

Please remember also to note what time of year you see them as well as other kinds of birds you see in your neighborhood. Then you will be able to keep track of them better next year when the return.

A good field book on birds will help, but do not try to memorize everything in it all at once. Just learn about your specific bird of interest.

Boreal Owl

Size & Shape

A small sized owl, with no ear tufts , flat head and large eyes

Color Pattern

Upperparts are completely dark brown, under parts dirty white and streaked with brown, white X on face, made up of eyebrows and white marks below bill, white face outlined in black, yellow bill

Behavior

Inquisitively explores woodlands and yards, moves in short hops or sprints

Habitat

Forest edge, woodlands, urban and suburban parks and yards in Alaska, Canada, northern Europe and in the mountains of the Western United States.