Northern Hawk-Owl

Surnia ulula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Strigidae — Owls

Northern Hawk-Owl, Surnia ulula, breeds across North America and the Palearctic, where it is a bird of northern latitudes. It is the only living member of Surnia in the owl family Strigidae. It is usually resident within its breeding area, though it can move south in some years. Unlike most owls, it is often active in daylight. In North America it ranges from eastern Alaska through Canada to Newfoundland, and it also nests in open coniferous forest, mixed woodland, muskegs, clearings, swamp valleys, meadows and recently burnt ground.

Order
Strigiformes
Family
Strigidae — Owls
Breeding range
North America, Palearctic: n
Northern Hawk-Owl
© Richard Hoeg richardhoeg · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

7 tours in Canada 5, Norway 2

Private Owl Photography by Car in Vesterålen
Private Owl Photography by Car in Vesterålen
Norway / Sortland Private tour

A private three-to-five-hour search for Vesterålen’s owls by car, with patient roadside observation and local guidance for groups of one ...

From NOK 7,500
Private Bird Photography Tour in Vesterålen
Private Bird Photography Tour in Vesterålen
Norway / Sortland Private tour

A private bird photography outing shaped around the season and your target species, using local hides, feeding sites, vehicle access and sel...

Tobin Lake Birding Tour from Saskatoon, Melfort or Nipawin – Forest and River birds 2026
Tobin Lake Birding Tour from Saskatoon, Melfort or Nipawin – Forest and River birds 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2 days

A private two-day self-drive birding tour through the Tobin Lake and Saskatchewan River valley region, focused on forest and river birds....

From CAD 1,450
Great Gray Owl Photography Tours 2026: Quest for Great Grays and Hawk Owls
Great Gray Owl Photography Tours 2026: Quest for Great Grays and Hawk Owls
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3 days

A private three-day winter photography search from Saskatoon for Great Gray, Northern Hawk and Snowy Owls in central Saskatchewan....

From CAD 2,470
Cheerful Chickadee Feeding and Photography Tours 2026
Cheerful Chickadee Feeding and Photography Tours 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3h

A winter chickadee experience near Saskatoon, offered as a two-hour public outing or a three-hour private tour with birdwatching and photogr...

From CAD 45
Meadow Lake Park Birding Tour from Saskatoon, North Battleford or Cold Lake – Forest birds 2026
Meadow Lake Park Birding Tour from Saskatoon, North Battleford or Cold Lake – Forest birds 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2 days

A private two-day self-drive exploration of Meadow Lake Provincial Park, searching boreal forest and wetland habitats for northern birds....

From CAD 1,290
Forest Winter Owl Photography Tour 2026: Quest for Great Grays and Hawk Owls
Forest Winter Owl Photography Tour 2026: Quest for Great Grays and Hawk Owls
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3 days

A 3-day winter owl photography tour in Saskatchewan forest country, focused on Great Gray Owl and Northern Hawk Owl opportunities when condi...

From CAD 2,470