Running Head: Wildlife Conflict 1

Wildlife Habitat Conflict Lab: Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Aidan Huczko, Alina Robinson, Anthony Fetherman, Brett Michelini
Stockton University

Figure 1 Map of Nesting Box Locations

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Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation have detrimental effects on species diversity,
population, and overall ecological health. As the human population continues to grow, our need for space
and resources is causing a great deal of destruction to habitats around the world (Haddad, N., Brudvig, L.,
Colbert, J., Davies, K., & Gonzales, A. 2015). This issue has lead to the collapse of entire ecosystems,
causing irreversible changes to our environments. Preserving habitat allows us to maintain and protect
species, as well as research the relationships in these ecosystems; this provides us with critical knowledge
that we can use to improve our methods for resource extraction and lessening the impact we have on
wildlife habitats (Fahrig, L. 2001) . The purpose of this study is to analyze the habitat of the Northern
saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus, at Stockton University.
The Northern saw-whet owl, Aegolius acadicus, breeds in central and eastern northern United
States and throughout Canada (Audobon.org 2018, Confer et al. 2014). Their habitat has been fragmented
by urban development; this affects their ability to fledge offspring, increases their stress levels, and
decreases their ability to forage (Hinam H. and St. Clair C. 2008). According to a population study done
by The International Union for Conservation (IUCN), there has been an overall decline in the population
of this species over the past few decades but it is not significant enough to warrant serious concern,
therefore, they have this species listed as least concern (Aegolius acadicus, 2016). Stockton University’s
campus provides a suitable habitat for this species, and are being encouraged to nest with habitat boxes.
An individual that would be a potential target for our universities habitat boxes would follow the
Appalachian mountains and disperse outwards in a fan at a mean direction of 29° east of due South
(Confer et al. 2014). Some individuals spend the winter in southern NJ, but they are listed as
“uncommon” in the area, according to audobon.org 2018, and “scarce” by allaboutbirds.org 2018.
The preferred winter habitat of the birds appears to be, “dense coniferous or deciduous
vegetation for roosting and perches for foraging” (Churchill, J.B., Wood, P.B., and Brinker, D.F.).
According to researchers at Cornell, individuals who overwintered in central NJ were found in second
growth wetland forests and mature forests of an unspecified type, but in forests no smaller than 40.5 ha
(Rasmussen, J. L., S. G. Sealy, and R. J. Cannings 2008). This is slightly smaller than the estimated
winter home range of 72.6 - 248.6 ha on Assateague Island (Churchill, J.B., Wood, P.B., and Brinker,
D.F.) However, NSW Owl is not known to be territorial in winter and home ranges may overlap
significantly (Churchill, J.B., Wood, P.B., and Brinker, D.F.). Researchers at the University of Wyoming
found that Aegolius acadicus, “relies on forests for most aspects of their natural history,” including dying
trees and snags (Johnson, A.S., Anderson, S.H.). They conclude that removal of snags from a forest could
decrease possible nest sites, though it is not clear how it would effect winter roosting sites (Johnson, A.S.,
Anderson, S.H.). It has also been determined that there is a correlation between the abundance of small
mammals and the number of hatch year birds, suggesting that the more abundant this food source is the
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greater the ability for these birds to produce offspring (Confer et al. 2014). Another study recorded that
non-breeding northern saw-whet owls are most frequently recorded consuming Deer mouse (Peromyscus
maniculatus) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), which can be found on the Stockton
University Campus (Grove 1985). However, they have also been found to prey on other birds, such as
dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) and house sparrow (passer domesticus), both of which spend their
winters in New Jersey (Grove 1985).
The proper wood for an Aegolicus acadicus nesting box could be red cedar (Juniperus
virginiana), or Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides). Red cedar is microbial resistant, hold nails
and screws well, and can be easily carved if needed (Hemmerly, T. 1970). Atlantic white cedar has “a
good reputation for durability,” and both trees can be found locally (Dallimore, W. 1913, Quinn, J., &
Meiners, S. 2004, Kuser, J et. al. 1997). The box should also have a 3” diameter entrance facing South,
elevated somewhere between 8’-15’, located in dense oak-pine or cedar swamp, and within close
proximity to a reliable water source (redberrylake.ca 2018, nestwatch.org 2018). Niche overlap and
interspecific species competition is poorly understood. One study conducted in Idaho determined that the
average distance between two Northern saw-whet owl nest was 4507m (~2.8 mi) (Rains 1998). Rains
also noted that the average distance between Northern saw-whet owl nests and Western screech owl
(Megascops kennicottii) nests was 13,139m (~8.16 mi). While Western screech owls are not a factor on
the Stockton campus, Eastern screech owls are a member of the same genera and can be found here year
round, suggesting possible territorial conflict between the species (allaboutbirds.org 2018)
There are currently three bird habitat boxes erected on Stockton University campus that were
designed and positioned to house Aegolius acadicus. The locations of these boxes can be seen when
referencing figure 1. Two of the three boxes are structurally sound, with no damage of any sort that would
result in the structure of the box to fail. One box, located in a forest management area near Lake Fred has
been damaged and has a large crack in the face of the box, exposing the area where a bird would nest.
This is detrimental to the birds safety because the box no longer has the ability to limit the wildlife that
can enter it. None of the boxes are oriented correctly (should face S), but they are all at the proper height,
constructed properly, and are protected by metal flashing based on NestWatch.org’s Northern Saw-whet
owl nest box plan as of 2018. Although the boxes are properly crafted and positioned, one box is mounted
on a solitary conifer, located in roughly the center of a clear cut forest management area which is not ideal
for several reasons. It does not have any cover from other vegetation, no surrounding trees to perch on,
and it is not a dense forest habitat that the bird prefers for safety and hunting advantage. Additionally this
box has become home to a colony of vespids which will defend their territory from an owl looking to
enter it. Moving this box into the surrounding forested area will provide better habitat for Aegolius
acadicus, as seen in figure 1. Because this species is not present in New Jersey in the summer months,
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maintenance should be done between July and August. According to Sharon Stiteler of the National
Audubon Society. the best time to monitor this species is 30-45 minutes after dusk, when they are actively
hunting (Stiteler, S. 2018).
We observed and monitored the three habitat boxes for Aegolius acadicus at Stockton University.
We found that Stockton does provide a suitable habitat for this species, however, a few modifications and
improvements are needed to encourage more nesting, such as box location, box orientation, and pest
eradication. By providing habitat and encouraging these birds to nest in our area, we can study their
reproduction and their role in an ecological system.

References
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Aegolius acadicus. (2016). Retrieved October 9, 2018, from

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22689366/0

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl/overview

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl

Churchill, J., Wood, P., & David F. Brinker. (2002). Winter Home Range and Habitat Use of Female
Northern Saw-Whet Owls on Assateague Island, Maryland. The Wilson Bulletin, 114(3), 309-313.
Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4164465

Confer, J. L., Kanda, L. L., & Li, I. (2014). Northern saw-whet owl: Regional patterns for fall migration
and demographics revealed by banding data. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 126(2), 305-320.
doi:10.1676/13-011.1

Dallimore, W. (1913). Cedar Woods. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information (Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew), 1913(6), 207-224. doi:10.2307/4115007

Fahrig, L. (2001). How much habitat is enough? Biological Conservation, 100(1), 65-74.
doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(00)00208-1

Grove, R. A. (1985). Northern Saw-whet Owl winter food and roosting habits in north-central
Washington. The Murrelet, 66(1), 21-24.

Haddad, N., Brudvig, L., Colbert, J., Davies, K., & Gonzales, A. (2015). Habitat fragmentation and its
lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems. Retrieved October 9, 2018, from
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/advances/1/2/e1500052.full.pdf

Hemmerly, T. (1970). Economic Uses of Eastern Red Cedar. Economic Botany, 24(1), 39-41. Retrieved
from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4253106

Hinam, H. L., & Clair, C. C. S. (2008). High levels of habitat loss and fragmentation limit reproductive
success by reducing home range size and provisioning rates of Northern saw-whet owls. Biological
Conservation, 141(2), 524-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2007.11.011
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Johnson, Aran S., and Stanley H. Anderson. “Conservation Assessment for the Northern Sawwhet
Owl in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota and Wyoming.” U.S. Forest Service, USDA,
May 2003, www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_012447.pdf.

Kuser, J., Meagher, T., Sheely, D., & White, A. (1997). Allozyme Frequencies in New Jersey and North
Carolina Populations of Atlantic White-Cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (Cupressaceae). American
Journal of Botany, 84(11), 1536-1541. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2446615

Quinn, J., & Meiners, S. (2004). Growth Rates, Survivorship, and Sex Ratios of Juniperus virginiana on
the New Jersey Piedmont from 1963 to 2000. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society,131(3),
187-194. doi:10.2307/4126949

Rains, Charlotte R (1998). NICHE OVERLAP, AND NEAREST-NEIGHBOR DISTANCES OF

NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS (AEGOLIUS ACADICUS) AND WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS
(OTUS KENNICOTTII) IN SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO. Published Master's Thesis. Boise State
University, Boise, Idaho.

Rasmussen, J. L., S. G. Sealy, and R. J. Cannings (2008). Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus),
version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca,
NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.42

Stiteler, S. (2018, February 14). Find Northern Saw-whet Owls With These Five Tips. Retrieved from
https://www.audubon.org/news/find-northern-saw-whet-owls-these-five-tips