The northern saw-whet owl is the Midwest's smallest owl species. It is a year round resident in the northern portions of the Midwest, but makes surprise visits further south during winter.
Owls typically have a favorite roosting spot in certain trees. Knowing what to look for can help you find one of these trees. Look for a whitewash of owl droppings on tree trunk and limbs. Below where the owl likes to sit you can find owl pellets on the ground. Owls eat their prey whole, but can't digest fur, feathers, bone, etc. The owl regurgitates pellets of these materials, which can be used to determine what the owl ate. Check out all of the photos, then see if you spot an owl roost during the next outing.
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