Northern Hawk Owl

Surnia ulula

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
ABNSB07010
Common Name: 
Northern Hawk Owl
Scientific Name: 
Surnia ulula
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Strigiformes
Family: 
Strigidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

likely at 1 year
References: 
R079

Longevity

Life span 10 yr in captivity and wild (Eckert 1974).
References: 
B141
Habitat
open mixed coniferous and deciduous forests or moderately dense forests bordering open areas
References: 
H126
R079
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.79; Uncommon permanent resident in forests below the treeline on the mainland, northwards to Inuvik, Colville River and the Anderson River valley. Diurnal, frequently seen perched on the top of trees around open areas such as highways, wetlands and burns. Some birds likely move south out of the Territory during winter.(NWT Bird checklist project)
Score: 
G
References: 
R079
Winter Distribution Description: 
in breeding range and south to northern US

Number of Occurrences

Prob. More than 100 in NWT; widespread south of Mackenzie
Score: 
DE

Area of Occupancy

dispersion to southern parts during prey crashes; assumed stable
Score: 
-
References: 
R079
W027
Population

Population Size

in North = rare but occasionally abundant, common near 60th parallel; prob.(R079); Numbers reported to fluctuate up to 100% with cycles of small-mammal prey populations. On basis of its North American breeding range (see Distribution, above), population estimated to be 10,000–50,000 pairs (Duncan and Harris 1997).(B141)
Score: 
F
References: 
R079
B141

Density

Breeding densities low (Fyfe 1976, Erskine 1977); 0–6 pairs/100 km2 in Yukon (Rohner et al. 1995).
Trends

Trends

large annual fluctuations due to prey base (small mammals) (R079); Data available to 1988 indicate decline (W027) ; unknown in NWT but assumed stable
References: 
R079
W027
Threats

Threats

illegal shooting, accidental trapping; killed by vehicules; limited threats in NWT
Score: 
C
References: 
H126
R079
B141

Intrinsic Vulnerability

None known
Score: 
-
References: 
H126
R079
B141
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Need to monitor, decline possible, threats appear limited in NWT
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Suzanne Carriere based on printed references. Reviewed in 2005 by S Carriere, no change in status; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed in 2015, no change; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 30, 2020
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Not At Risk

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return
  • Duncan, J. R., and P. A. Duncan. (1998) Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula).. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. In The Birds of North America, No. 356 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). - B141 Return

Longevity

  • Duncan, J. R., and P. A. Duncan. (1998) Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula).. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. In The Birds of North America, No. 356 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). - B141 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Population Size

Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return
,
Duncan, J. R., and P. A. Duncan. (1998) Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula).. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. In The Birds of North America, No. 356 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). - B141 Return

Range Extent

  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Duncan PA (1992) Status report on the northern hawk owl Surnia ulula in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) RWED Library Folder - R079 Return
  • Duncan, J. R., and P. A. Duncan. (1998) Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula).. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. In The Birds of North America, No. 356 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). - B141 Return