Friday's Foto

Of all the North American owls the Northern Saw-whet Owl easily wins the top prize in the cuteness category. Weighing in at only 2 - 4 ounces this pint-sized predator preys primarily on small rodents which it hunts for from low perches. Their common name is derived from the sound of one of their calls which is reminiscent of a saw being sharpened. They are known to move far south of their normal winter range during years of low food supplies. The IUCN lists this species conservation status as "Least Concern" due in part to their extremely large range.