Nest Box Guide For Waterfowl - Alberta Conservation Association

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Other OccupantsNorthern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)This little owl is only 17-20 centimetres( 7 to 8 inches) long. The Saw-whetOwl is a forest dweller who usuallyutilizes a Pileated Woodpecker orNorthern Flicker cavity for raising itsyoung. Saw-whet Owls may be heardestablishing their territory in mid-March with a series of wistful toots,and nest from March to June.Eggs are non-glossy white andincubation begins upon laying thefirst egg. The male provides the familywith rodents, frogs, and small birds.The young hatch over the period of aweek and occupy the nest for 4 to 5weeks. If an owl is present when youare checking the box, she will likelypeek out the entrance hole of the boxif you tap the tree.Saw-whet Owls do not bring nestingmaterial to the cavity so eggs arelaid in the existing material. This maybe wood shavings or the nest of aprevious occupant such as a FlyingSquirrel. A successful nest containsa layer of regurgitated pellets, fur,feathers, and the bones ofsmall rodents.5 to 7 eggs per nestActual size (average egg)25 mm31 mmNEST BOX GUIDE FOR WATERFOWL |15Saw-whet Owl boxes should beplaced in a large thick patch ofungrazed woodland as high as isfeasible for maintenance (2.5 to 3.5metres (8 to 12 feet) aboveground level).
Other OccupantsBoreal Owl(Aegolius funereus)This northern and foothills speciesof small forest owl will normallynest in the larger cavities ofPileated Woodpeckers and mayuse the same cavity several yearsin a row. Eggs are dull white withno markings. As residential andindustrial development extends intothe western boreal forest, their useof nest boxes may increase.2 to 5 eggs per nestActual size (average egg)NEST BOX GUIDE FOR WATERFOWL |16Northern Pygmy Owl(Glaucidium gnoma)The foothills and mountains ofWestern <strong>Alberta</strong> support a breedingpopulation of these tiny owls.Mixed-wood forest interspersedwith meadows for hunting is thepreferred habitat. They usuallychoose cavities left by the NorthernFlicker and the Hairy Woodpecker.Eggs are glossy white.26 mm33 mm2 to 7 eggs per nestActual size (average egg)23 mm27 mm
Page 1 and 2: Nest Box GuideFor WaterfowlAlberta
Page 4 and 5: IntroductionWhy Nest Boxes?Although
Page 6 and 7: Identifying Wildlife SpeciesThat Us
Page 8 and 9: WaterfowlCommon Goldeneye (Bucephal
Page 10 and 11: Waterfowl6 to 12 eggs per nestBuffl
Page 12 and 13: WaterfowlHooded Merganser (Lophodyt
Page 14 and 15: WaterfowlMixed Clutches and Dump Ne
Page 16: Other Occupants4 to 5 eggs per nest
Page 21 and 22: Other OccupantsNEST BOX GUIDE FOR W
Page 23 and 24: Other Occasional Users6 to 8 eggs p
Page 25 and 26: Other Occasional UsersNEST BOX GUID
Page 27 and 28: Other Occasional UsersWasps and Bee
Page 29 and 30: Nest Box CareNEST BOX GUIDE FOR WAT
Page 31 and 32: Nest Box CarePlace the initial boxe
Page 33 and 34: Nest Box CareProvide supplemental n

Nest Box Guide For Waterfowl - Alberta Conservation Association

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