VIDEO: Rarely seen Northern hawk owl
Photo: Arne Ader
Video: ERR „Osoon“
Translation: Liis
Northern hawk owl
Northern hawk owl Vöötkakk Surnia ulula
In Estonia the Northern hawk owl is an extremely rare breeder but its activities this year can be watched in the exciting video link below. Previously a breeding pair was found in 1974. Passing migrants have already been observed and some specimens may stay here to winter.
Northern hawk owl observations: LINK
Compared to the more familiar Ural owl the Northern hawk owl is half the size, or the size of a jackdaw, but with a long tail, better compared to that of a sparrowhawk. The Northern hawk owl has a length of 40 centimetres, wing span 80 centimetres and weight 300 grams.
The plumage of the underparts similarly has hawk-like stripes, and the daytime hunting as well as its flight image fit well with for instance the doings of sparrowhawks. The Northern hawk likes a high vantage point. Hovering flight during prey hunting is characteristic; it is active during daytime and in dusk, when it hunts rodents, mainly voles.
The head of the Northern hawk owl is small compared to the proportions of other owls. Eyes and beak are yellow, the face has a white mask surrounded by dark feathers and Toomas’s video shows quite nicely the mask on the nape. Legs are covered with feathers and claws blackish brown.
See the video from the nesting of the Northern hawk owl this year: VIDEO
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