The Boreal Owl

Aegolius funereus

01. hlavna foto

They are relatively small owls in stature with a chocolate-brown coloured upper
body and bright spots. Their legs are densely feathered up to talons. By their size
and coloration, they are similar to the little owls which are, by their way of life,
bound to a cultural landscape in the lowlands and hilly areas. In contrast to the
little owls, the boreal owls occupy coniferous and mixed forests of the higher
locations of northern and central Slovakia from the altitude of 600 m a.s.l. up to
the top level of the forest.

02.

The boreal owls nest either in the hollows of trees or in the hollows made by a
woodpecker, most often by the black woodpecker, or can utilise a nesting box.
At the time of mating, the male owls are resounded with a distinct vocal
utterance "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu", which is heard over a long distance. They are quite
trustful and do not attack humans by the nest.

03.

The main boreal owl's food consists of small mammals, but also smaller birds.

They hunt their prey exclusively at night and lie in wait for it from a tree stand.
In the daytime, they are hidden on tree branches.

04. – 04.a

The young are typical of their dark coloration.