Northern Hawk Owl Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Boreal Owl
Adult
Boreal Owls are smaller with a shorter tail than Northern Hawk Owls. Boreal Owls have a striped belly while Northern Hawk Owls have a barred belly.
© Christoph Moning | Macaulay LibraryBayern, May 08, 2010Similar Species
Western Screech-Owl
Adult
Western Screech-Owls are smaller with a shorter tail than Northern Hawk Owls. They have vertical streaks on the belly while Northern Hawk Owls have a barred belly.
© Logan Lalonde | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, February 28, 2015Similar Species
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Adult
Northern Saw-whet Owls are smaller with a shorter tail than Northern Hawk Owls. They also do not have a barred belly like Northern Hawk Owls.
© Cameron Rutt | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 27, 2013Main Species
Northern Hawk Owl
Adult
Medium-sized owl with a long, tapered tail. The face is white with a dark border. Horizontal brown stripes mark the belly.
© Blair Dudeck | Macaulay LibraryBritish ColumbiaAdult
The wings are short and pointed (much more so than on other owls). Note white face bordered by dark lines.
© Jax Nasimok | Macaulay LibraryOntarioAdult
Hunts from prominent tree tops day and night looking for small mammals and birds.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 27, 2010Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Medium-sized owl with a long tail. Juveniles are a bit paler than adults and look fluffier.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryLaplandAdult
Medium-sized owl with fully feathered legs and feet. Note horizontal barring on belly and white face bordered in black.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryLaplandAdult and juveniles
Nests in cavities, including old woodpecker nests, and hollow tops of broken tree trunks.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryManitoba, June 01, 1994Not all videos have sound
Adult
Found in evergreen or mixed forests near marshes and open areas where it perches on top of tall trees.
© Bryan Calk | Macaulay LibraryMinnesotaAdult
Perches on prominent trees and shrubs where it hunts primarily for small mammals. This video has no audio.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, January 01, 1996Not all videos have sound
Adult
Its long tapered tail and dark marks on the side of the face are distinctive.
© Benjamin Clock | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 27, 2010Not all videos have sound
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Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
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