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(Aegolius funereus). Patient Number 25-45.
Date of admission: Mar 2, 2025.
Reason for admission: Physical Injury.
Patient History:
The Boreal Owl, also known as Richardson’s owl in North America and Tengmalm’s owl in Eurasia, is a small, secretive owl measuring only 25 centimeters (10 inches) long, with a wingspan of 55–62 cm (22–24 inches). It has a large, rounded head, bright yellow eyes, and a distinctive white-speckled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. Unlike some other owls, it lacks ear tufts.
Boreal owls inhabit dense boreal and subalpine forests across North America and Eurasia. In Alberta, they breed in all regions except the grasslands and are most commonly found in the forests bordering the Rocky Mountains. This species is considered non-migratory, but some individuals may move southward in the fall to escape harsher winter conditions.
Being nocturnal hunters, boreal owls remain motionless in trees during the day, relying on their cryptic coloration for protection. Rather than actively searching for prey, they adopt a sit-and-wait strategy, striking when the moment is right. Their diet consists primarily of small mammals, including voles, shrews, and bats, though they may also consume small birds and insects when available.
Boreal owls nest in tree cavities, often using abandoned woodpecker holes or nest boxes in mature forests. Unlike many owl species, they are relatively silent outside of the breeding season, but males produce a distinctive series of rhythmic, whistled hoots during courtship and territory defense.
Although generally elusive, boreal owls occasionally become more visible in winter when food scarcity forces them to hunt in more open areas. Despite their small size, they are remarkably efficient predators, using their excellent low-light vision and highly sensitive hearing to detect prey beneath snow or leaf litter.
This Boreal Owl arrived in care after being found in Northwest Calgary with a fractured clavicle, likely caused by a window strikeThankfully, the fracture is well aligned, and we’re hopeful that cage rest and supportive care will help this little owl recover.