saw-whet owl
[ saw-hwet, -wet ]
/ ˈsɔˌʰwɛt, -ˌwɛt /
noun
a very small North American owl, Aegolius acadicus, having streaked, brown plumage and lacking ear tufts.
Origin of saw-whet owl
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; allegedly so called because its cry was likened to the noise of a saw being whetted