Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center The saw-whet owl is
found throughout North America from southern Alaska and Canada
to central Mexico. They inhabit dense coniferous or mixed
forests, wooded swamps, and bogs. More migratory than most owls,
they winter through and south of their breeding range, the
migration being a general southward withdrawal to escape food
shortages or extreme cold. The saw-whet may be a more common
winter resident in North Dakota than is believed due to their
habit of roosting silently in coniferous trees and being
difficult to flush. While a winter visitor for the most part,
they have also been known to nest on rare occasions in North
Dakota. Strictly nocturnal, saw-whets prefer coniferous woods in
swampy areas. They nest in abandoned woodpecker holes, often
those of flickers, and also in natural tree cavities. When
hunting, they float silently along edges of open parks and
meadows, dropping on their prey in the grass. Their primary food
is insects, but they will also eat mice, ra