: in open mature coniferous and mixed woodlands with large enough trees to support nest holes, but essentially undetectable except when singing. Peak period for male's nocturnal song mid Feb-early Apr on calm nights beginning about two hours after sunset but some singing continues throughout the year. Listen here.
: but rarely detected late Sep-early Nov. A bird was seen flying around a whale watch boat 23 miles south of MDI in mid Oct 2003 and several birds have been detected on Mount Desert Rock. Locally raised young and some/many of their mothers migrate. Adults males appear to stay put.
Miscellany: Saw-whet Owl populations vary with those of their small rodent prey. In our area, the latter depends on the size of the spruce and fir cone crop. A Saw-whet banding station operating just to our east at Petit Manan Point every night, weather permitting, between late Sep and early Nov 2015-2020 banded between 170 Saw-whets on the worst year (2017) and 453 on the best (2020). On the two best nights over that time period more than 70 Saw-whets were banded. In the big owl flight years, most of the birds are young and the rest adult females.
Last Reviewed: July 8th, 2026