Owl of Tengmalm

The owl of Tengmalm or boreal owl or, still, nyctale of Tengmalm is a small owl difficult to observe high approximately 25 cm with the aspect close to the Chouette chevêche. She lives primarily the forests of Conifère S, niche very often in the holes of black Pic and follows this last in her movement of expansion towards the south-west of the Europe.

Foot-note bucket : all the species of the kind Aegolius are named “Nyctale S”.

Description

It is a small owl difficult to observe, high approximately 25 cm with the aspect close to the owl chevêche. It east can be the least known of all strigidés. It is characterized by its nozzle color ivory and the expression from its “face” considered to be very severe what is visible only if the bird is quite alert with its two largely deployed facial discs.

  • Weight and Mesures, size: 25 cm; scale: 52 cm; weight: 135 G. (source: D.A. Sibley).

Habitat

She lives especially the forests of conifers and niche very often in the holes of black Peak and follows this last in her movement of expansion towards the south-west of Europe (she would have been observed in the Pyrenees). But, it is observed much less often than Chevêche which is however rarer. Just like the latter, it invades the lowlands in period of food shortage. When the populations of small rodents living in its forest surfaces of nesting subside, Nyctale de Tengmalm carries out a migratory movement towards the south, hoping to find sources of food more abundant. Also, because of important migrations to the autumn, this nyctale becomes, concretely, impossible to find the winter. In fact, this animal of night and forest manners must probably melt itself in the middle of the forest, so that its presence remains been unaware of. In fact, the ornithologists of more deforested areas are likely sometimes to find it, in full day, sleeping in some isolated conifer. But it also sometimes happens to observe this owl in winter perched well in sight, in full day, in the public gardens or the gardens of our cities.

At all events, its favorite habitat remains the forest coniférienne, of plain or mountain, including the sectors of mixed forest. It thus occupies, of small number, the forests and the Mounts.

Song

  • In Quebec, it divides its habitat with Small Nyctale and it happens that ornithologists are likely thus simultaneously to record the song from these two Nyctales, at a few hundreds of Mr. one of the other.

  • the period of song of Nyctale de Tengmalm begins in April, whereas the first pig iron and cast iron of snows hardly has just begun in altitude. And as long as it will not have found of partner, the male will sing in an almost continuous way during all the night, during several days, to see a few weeks. It is at this time that it is easiest to discover. Unfortunately, its song does not carry so much far in these timbered areas, less than one km, which does not facilitate its precise location. If the thaw delays, one can also observe males singers much more tardily (until the beginning of June). The precise statement of all these spring and estival songs of Nyctale de Tengmalm will make it possible to locate the nest in the surroundings.

  • Voice: its song consists of a series of a dozen “hou” clear and fast, being able to be repeated during hours.

External bonds

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