Anyone unacquainted with the SAW-WHET'S notes would imagine someone was getting the cordwood saw ready to cut the winter's supply. Sometimes these extraordinary sounds come from the hemlocks in April, more rarely in Autumn, but once heard are not likely to be forgotten.
The eerie little fellows are without much home-sense and wander wherever they list, settling in one location only long enuf to raise a fluffy family. Those I have taken from a tree-hollow put up quite a fight but when lifted from their perch permitted handling without protest.
They are rare birds, due perhaps to lethal attentions of the larger Owls, particularly the Barred. One sped past my shoulder and dove onto a mouse moving under pine needles and invisible to me. The slight movement of the leaves caused by the animal in its runway was seen by the Argus-eyed Owl.
Northern North America, casual as far south as northern part of the Gulf States. Nowhere common.