Northern Hawk-Owl: In winter

The Northern Hawk-Owl is chiefly a resident that remains in the northern coniferous forests even in winter.

  • Diurnal: it hunts in daylight year-round and is often seen perched openly in a treetop keeping watch, even in winter.
  • Diet: it lives on small rodents and catches voles by plunging down from a lookout perch or hovering over snow-covered ground.
  • Irruptions: in years of rodent scarcity in the north, Northern Hawk-Owls move south, sometimes as far as Götaland, in search of prey.

The strong dependence on rodents means the Northern Hawk-Owl's winter movements swing greatly from year to year.

More about the Northern Hawk-Owl

  • Song & calls
  • Breeding
  • Nest & eggs
  • Diet
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