Hawk owl
LIVING HABITS
Hawk owls breed on the coniferous forest belt around the northern hemisphere. Even in Finland it is a northern species, not to be found in the southern parts of the country. Hawk owls live mostly in open coniferous forests, and also, especially in the north, birch-tree covered mountain areas. Because hawk owls nest in holes, they prefer areas with dead standing pine trees or hollow tree-trunks. The hawk owl is active during the day. Its range of distribution depends on the number of its main source of food, namely, small rodents. When food is scarce, hawk owls migrate, and this is when the northern species can be found all the way down in the southernmost parts of Finland also.
PROTECTION
Like our other owls, also the hawk owl is a protected species in Finland.
ADAPTING TO THE WINTER
In the autumn, as the rodents are scarce, the hawk owls migrate to areas with more nutrition available. When the food is abundant, the hawk owls store part of their prey for a rainy day.
Hawk owl
Surnia ulula
CLASS: Aves - birds
ORDER: Strigiformes - owls
FAMILY: Strigidae - Owls
SIZE: 210-380g, wingspan: 75-80cm, females larger than males.
BREEDING: Female hawk owl lays 5-6 eggs in April-May, incubation period 28-30 days and nights.
LIFESPAN: According to ringing data, the oldest hawk owl has lived to over 8 years of age.