Northern Hawk-Owl: Nest & eggs

The Northern Hawk-Owl builds no stick nest of its own but uses ready-made cavities high up in the open coniferous forest.

  • Nest site: a natural tree hole, an old woodpecker hole, the top of a broken, rotten stump or a mounted nest box.
  • Position: often at the edge of clearings and mires where it has a clear view over open ground.
  • Clutch size: strongly governed by the vole supply — good rodent years give large clutches, in poor years breeding may fail.

The Northern Hawk-Owl defends its nest site forcefully and may attack anyone who comes too close during the breeding season.

More about the Northern Hawk-Owl

  • Song & calls
  • Breeding
  • Diet
  • In winter
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