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The saw whet is rarely heard at night, unless it is during mating season. During it’s mating season it can be heard easily from the woods. It’s breeding season in between March and April. Usually the nest in is a hollow tree. Decayed wood fibre matted with owl’s feathers is supplemented with a small quantity of soft, dry grass. The number of eggs laid is usually between 4-7.Laying begins in early April. The nests can be anywhere from 2-12m off the ground. Incubation takes from 21 to 28 days. When they are born they are mainly white but within a few days they are showing some brown.



During the winter the population as a whole shifts south but most of the birds remain within their breeding range. Rarely are they seen during the day because they are nocturnal hunters. Their flight feathers are serrated at their tips, quieting the flapping sounds of the wings during flight. Their eyes in front allow for depth perception and ability to isolate and capture prey, as well as avoid obstacles. Another advantage they have is their sharp talons for holding prey and their hooked beak for tearing meat. Lastly their camouflage coloring helps keep the owl from being discovered during the day.