Chouette épervière— Quebec wildlife

The northern hawk-owl or northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula), is a medium-sized true owl of the northern latitudes. It is non-migratory and usually stays within its breeding range, though it sometimes irrupts southward. It is one of the few owls that is not strictly nocturnal nor crepuscular, often being active during the day. This is the only living species in the genus Surnia of the family Strigidae, the "typical" owls (as opposed to barn owls, Tytonidae). The species is sometimes called simply the hawk owl; however, many species of owls in the genus Ninox are also called "hawk owls".

Description

Male northern hawk-owls are generally 35–42.5 cm (13.8–16.7 in) long, and weigh about 300 g (11 oz). Females are slightly bigger with a length of 37.2–44.7 cm (14.6–17.6 in) and a weight of about 340 g (12 oz). Both male and female have similar wingspans of about 69–82 cm (27–32 in). The plumage is relatively dark brown with an off-white spotting pattern on all dorsal parts of the body with the exception of the back of the neck which boasts a black v-shaped pattern. The underbelly is generally white or off-white which continues to the toes with brown bands on the breast and stomach. It also has a long tail with brown banding; the tail feather tips are rounded in adults, and pointed in first-year birds. The northern hawk-owl has a white face with a black border, a rounded head, yellow eyes and a curved yellow beak. The subspecies vary in size and plumage tone; S. u. ulula has paler underparts with fine bars, while S. u. caparoch is browner below with heavier barring. S. u. tianschanica is marginally the largest, and darker above than the other two, but with intermediate barring below. The northern hawk-owl resembles a hawk in appearance and in behaviour. In North America, its appearance in flight is often considered similar to a Cooper's hawk (Astur cooperii).