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2021 Wildlife Newsletter

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2021 Newsletter from the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund You can make the difference Remember our wildlife and the wild places that we want future generations to enjoy. Make sure to "check" for wildlife on your state tax return. Look for the peregrine falcon symbol and donate all or a portion of your tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund. You can also donate throughout the year by calling (402) 471-0641 or online at NebraskaWildlifeFund .org All donations are fully tax deductible. and WILD PLACES SAVING WILDLIFE PHOTO BY JOEL JORGENSEN In Search of Saw-whets By Stephen Brenner, Nongame Bird Biologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Small Owl, Big Questions F ew animals capture the imagination like the northern saw- whet owl (Aegolius acadicus), one of North America's smallest owls. These diminutive predators weigh a mere 3 ounces (similar to a tangerine) and stand only about 8 inches tall. Up until the mid- 1990s, ornithologists and birders alike considered this tiny owl a rare sighting, and much about its natural history was unknown throughout their range. However, for the past 25 years, an ever-growing network of bird-banders and owl enthusiasts have been seeking out saw-whet owls during their fall migration, usually from October to mid-November. As efforts increased and more banding stations popped up, it became clear that these owls are far more common and widespread than many would have imagined. The bulk of the Continued on page 2 A Northern Saw-whet Owl receives a leg band during its fall migration. Biologists band the owls in order to greatly expand our knowledge of this species in Nebraska.

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