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Northern Hawk-Owl

Status Rare visitant. There are indications that this owl was more common in the nineteenth century. Blakiston and Bland (1856) thought it "common," and Jones (1879) had it as "not uncommon throughout the year." Downs (1888) and Piers (1892a) both state "now . . . very rare," and the latter gives several specimen records. The reference to year-round presence by Jones (1879) is curious; it is perhaps relevant that a specimen was collected on Sable Island on 10 June 1902 (McLaren 1981a). The only notable invasions in the present century (more numerous in regions further inland in North America) occurred in 1913 when 15 were recorded around Halifax (Piers) and in 1923 when three were shot and a few others seen around Wolfville. Since 1960, only a few have occurred. During winter 1963-64, one was collected near Mooseland, Halifax County, and single individuals were seen in Colchester and Lunenburg counties. On 10 March 1972, one was photographed near New Glasgow by Gillian and James Elliot. On 7 January 1973, two were seen near Bridgetown, Annapolis County, and on 2 May 1973, one appeared at St. Esprit, Richmond County (R. and S. Meyerowitz). Perhaps the most tantalizing report (again by the Elliots) was of one perched on a tree in stunted growth along Highway 3 near the Shelburne County barrens (in many ways like its northern breeding terrain) on 4 July 1977. A bird discovered by Edgar Spalding and Stuart Tingley on Brier Island on 8 May 1982 was subsequently seen by several others up to 16 May.

Remarks About crow-size, with yellow eyes and no ear tufts, this is one of our few diurnal owls, well able to see its quarry in broad daylight. Like the Northern Shrike and the American Kestrel, it habitually perches alert and upright, often for long periods, overlooking an open meadow or barren land, ever watchful for the small birds and rodents upon which it preys.

Like the Snowy Owl, it is a bird of the northern regions. Those seen here are believed to have been driven south by the scarcity of food at "home." As it has nested in the Gaspe Peninsula and in recent years in southeastern Ontario, New Brunswick and southern Quebec, its nesting in Nova Scotia is not impossible.