Boreal owl

Aegolius funereus

The boreal owl or Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) is a small owl in the "true owl" family Strigidae.

Family: true owls Order: Strigiformes Conservation: Least Concern
Boreal owl

About the Boreal owl

The boreal owl or Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) is a small owl in the "true owl" family Strigidae. It is known as the boreal owl or, more rarely, Richardson's owl after Sir John Richardson, in North America, and as Tengmalm's owl in Europe and Asia, after the Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm. Due to its nocturnal habits and preferred inaccessible taiga forest habitat, it is rarely seen by humans; when met with, it is however often extremely confiding, showing little or no fear of people, and only flying off if approached to within 3–5 metres.

Fun Facts About Boreal owl

  • Due to its nocturnal habits and preferred inaccessible taiga forest habitat, it is rarely seen by humans; when met with, it is however often extremely confiding, showing little or no fear of people, and only flying off if approached to within 3–5 metres.
  • It is known as the boreal owl or, more rarely, Richardson's owl after Sir John Richardson, in North America, and as Tengmalm's owl in Europe and Asia, after the Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.

Conservation Status

The Boreal owl is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

OrderStrigiformes
Familytrue owls
GenusAegolius
SpeciesAegolius funereus

Range & Habitat

Range map of Boreal owl

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Related Species

Other species in the true owls family: