Owls of Ontario
Owls are one of the most majestic birds in Ontario. Symbol of the wise. They are actually natures pest control system. Most owls in Ontario live off rodents. A Barn Owl can eat over a thousand rats or mice a year. Some species of Owls migrate. Because of habitat loss and human conflict some owl species at risk. The most common injury to Owls is collisions with cars. Poising has become a concern with all birds of prey. An Ontario research study found over 62% of birds tested had some level of rat poison.
Barred Owl
Barred Owl one of the most common owls in Ontario is a medium-sized owl that prefers older growth forests. It frequently produces two to four young in a given season. A Barred Owl's eggs are white and rather spherical. Young hatch two to three days apart. Young Barred Owls are very inquisitive birds and thrive when they can explore their environments. Barred Owl have a very distinctive call.
Barn Owl
Barn Owls have heart-shaped facial discs and dark, almost black eyes. Unlike most owls in North America, they have almost bare feet. The Barn Owl inhabits open country; feeding on field rodents, utilizing warmth generated in barns by farm animals. The Barn Owl is currently on the endangered species list, Barn Owls do not hoot
Eastern Screech Owl
Screech Owl is one of the most common species throughout the southern regions of eastern Canada and has a tendency to frequent urban areas. Nest trees are regularly felled in spring by storms or people, leaving orphaned owlets hungry and cold. Adults are often hit by cars while hunting near roads. Probably gets its name from the screeching call it gives when scared.
Great Gray Owl
The Great Grey Owl is considered the largest species of owl in Canada. Greys prey on rodents; mice, voles and lemmings being their main sources of food. Great Greys are known for their huge parabolic facial discs which they use to help locate and capture prey. Great Grey Owls are generally rather quiet birds.
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is one of the most common owls in Ontario and is the second largest owl in North America. The Great Horned Owl is named for the long ear-tufts found on top of the head. These tufts are not ears as many people believe. Great Horned Owls are best known for their territorial hoot commonly used on television as a universal owl call.
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared are mid-sized owls of wooded areas. They get their name from the long, antennae-like feather tufts on their heads, which are enhanced by the species' typical camouflaging posture - a ramrod straight, elongated pose. Long-eared Owls generally inhabit dense woodlands with a predominance of conifers. Cooper's Hawk and crow nests are utilized, as Long-eared do not build nests of their own. Long-eared Owls produce many different sounds.
Northern Hawk Owl
Northern Hawk Owls are compact, medium sized owls of northern areas. They have bright yellow eyes, broad vertical black stripes down either side of their faces and black chins. They look more like hawks or falcons than owls. These owls have more pointed wings and longer tails than other North American owls. Prey which includes rodents, small birds and rarely, larger prey such as rabbits.
Northern Saw Owl
Saw-whets are one of few North American owl species that migrate seasonally. Like many songbirds, these owls travel south in autumn and return to breeding areas in spring. Saw-whets are probably the most regularly banded owls on the continent. Saw-whets are cavity nesters. They utilize both natural cavities and those excavated by woodpeckers and other small animals to lay eggs and raise their young. Received its name from the sound of its alarm vocalization, "skiew!", that sounds much like the whetting of a saw.
Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owls are medium sized owls found in grasslands and marshes across much of North America. Short-eared are ground nesters and form shallow depressions in the soil called scrapes where the females lay their eggs. Short-eared are one of few North American owls that congregate in winter. Short-eared are best known for their exaggerated shallow, moth-like wing beats and if spotted in the air, are usually flying low and slowly over fields and marshes. Short-eared Owls produce a variety of yips, barks and whines.
Snowy Owl
Snowy are Canada's largest species of owl. Females, as is true of most raptor species, are larger and more powerful than their male counterparts. A typical female Snowy Owl can reach a weight of 2000g and have a wingspan of over five feet. This owl is one of few North American owls that nests on the ground. The female creates a shallow depression in the ground known as a "scrape" within which she lays her eggs. Snowy Owls are diurnal birds hunting during daylight hours. Snowy Owls are generally quiet birds.
For more information about owls of Ontario go to the Owl Foundation website at
http://www.theowlfoundation.ca and click on the lefthand side click on Species Information.