Saw-whet Owl Research

Tracking Saw-whet Owl Migration

The saw-whet owl is a widespread and relatively common species, yet because it is nocturnal and difficult to observe, little is known about it.

Maine Audubon is participating in a study of saw-whet owl migration patterns to document:

• where saw-whet owls migrate
• when saw-whet owls migrate
• which portion of the population migrates
• habitat preferences
• habitat areas of importance for migration
• population statistics
• physical features of the saw-whet owl species

Maine Audubon’s staff naturalist Judy Walker operates one of only 25 banding stations along the East Coast that study the migration habits of Maine’s smallest and most migratory owl, the saw-whet.

Using three, 40-foot mist nets in a straight array, the Walkers lure the migrating birds into the nets by playing a recording of the saw-whet mating call. The nets are approximately ten feet high and are located in mixed woods dominated by eastern hemlock. After removing birds from the net biologists measure and record the owls' physical features, gender, age, fat storage, and molt patterns. The birds are then fitted with a custom metal leg band bearing a unique identifying number and released.

From 1996 through 1998 the station caught 460 individual owls. Of these, 382 were female, 28 were male, and 40 were unknown. About half the birds were hatched that year (235 were hatching year and 225 were after hatching year). Of the 28 males that were caught, 70% were hatching year.

The peak migration period during this time has been mid-October. The project is supported in part by funds from our "Adopt A Saw-whet" program.