If looks could kill, the northern hawk owl would be living large

One of our target birds on our recent trip to Minnesota, the northern hawk owl lives year-round in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada. However, during some winters they migrate down into the northern United States, including into northern Minnesota in search of food. The sighting of a northern hawk owl can be a thrilling experience. Its rarity and elusiveness make it a target bird for most birders. It was being reported in the bog for a few weeks before we arrived. Its diurnal nature offers the unique opportunity to see an owl out in the open during the day. But a hawk owl ... how can a bird be both an owl and a hawk? Aren't these distinctly different kinds of raptors? According to "All About Birds," "Its oval body, yellow eyes and round face enclosed by dark parentheses are distinctly owl. Its long tail and habit of perching atop solitary trees and hunting by daylight, though, are reminiscent of a hawk." It is a solitary bird, which is exactly how we saw it. It was perched high upon trees and buildings near a greenhouse where it seemed very comfortable. Our first look was from a significant distance, but when we returned, it was much closer — offering a nice photo opportunity. We passed by the area several times a day for two days since the greenhouse it called home is located on the most traveled road in the bog. Their diet can be almost exclusively voles and mice — one study found up to 94 percent. But they will also take much larger prey such as hares and grouse. Like many owls, they will regurgitate small pellets consisting of bones and fur. They hunt during the day, from dawn through dusk. They can catch birds in flight, and by sound it may dive into the snow after rodents. By sight, they can detect prey from up to a half mile away. They can make use of several nesting sites, such as large cavities and tops of snags, or may reuse old crow and hawk nests. Males and females look similar, and they are mostly monogamous. According to the Americana Bird Conservancy, "The male establishes a nest territory, then displays by calling and performing wing-clapping flights. When a female shows interest, the pair will call back and forth, perform mutual flight displays and rub their bills together. A courting male also presents gifts of food to a prospective mate and caches food in and around the nest site." They are beautiful small raptors, but they can be stoic and are not afraid to give off a menacing stare. When we saw it, out upon a very distant tree top, it was being harassed by two crows that were very upset to have the hawk owl hanging around their area. They repeatedly "dive-bombed" it, but while the much smaller hawk owl kept an eye on them, the crows weren't intimidating enough to scare it off. He sat quietly and defiantly as we watched and tried to get photos. Except for poachers, their remote breeding range is far from the effects of humans, though warming temperatures may move the hawk owl farther north. It has a stable population of about 130,000 in North America. Their occasional irruption south into the United States has led to sightings along Lake Erie in Ohio. According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, there have been two confirmed sightings, though there have probably been others. One reported sighting was on the ice at Edgewater Park in 1957. The other was right here in Lorain in 1968. The sighting of a northern hawk owl was a memorable highlight of our trip to Minnesota. But maybe we will get a local sighting sometime soon. That would certainly cause great enthusiasm among local birders. And we seem due for one. Weekly Spring Bird Walks Weekly Spring Bird Walks are offered in Elyria, Vermilion and Oberlin. Sunday mornings at 8:30 am. No registration, just show up! April, 14, 21, 28 and May 5, 12, 19 Elywood/Cascade Park 556 Washington Ave Elyria, OH 44035 Meetup at the pavilion. Leader: Gina Swindell Terrain: paved, dirt paths, small elevation changes Oberlin South Woods 225 West Hamilton Oberlin, OH 44074 (park in the paved lot at the west end of the soccer fields, closest to the intersection of Hamilton Rd and Lincoln St.) Meetup at the western most end of the parking lot. Leader: Gregg Eldred Terrain: flat, paved Vermilion Reservation- Bacon Woods 51211 N Ridge Rd, Vermilion, OH 44089 Drive to the back of the park to meet at the trailhead at the far northern lot. Walk includes the beginning sections of the parking lot and the red and blue trails. Leaders: Josh Vardous & Ed Wransky Terrain: crushed gravel, short boardwalks, and sometimes mud on the grass trail. Approximately 2 miles.