Boreal owl, Saskatchewan, Canada

© Nick Saunders/Minden Picture

Owl in one. Boreal owl

In the world of birdwatching, the Christmas Bird Count is a fun highlight of the year. This annual bird census was first launched in 1900. The first bird count involved just 27 people spread over 25 locations in Canada and the US. Since then, the count has grown exponentially, with more than 2,360 locations across the Western Hemisphere participating.

In North America's coniferous forests lives a tiny bird of prey—the boreal owl. The small, brown, and white-flecked raptor is shy and evasive around humans, keeping it well hidden from our view. Despite its compact size, it is a formidable hunter, feeding on small mammals, voles and birds. With dark plumage and expressive eyes, it strikes a captivating figure in the moonlit canopy, intriguing bird enthusiasts and researchers. Any birder would be fortunate to spot one during their Christmas Bird Count.