Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus, is a species of nocturnal bird of prey found in woodland and forest ecosystems. It is a widespread resident in northern Europe, and occurs more patchily farther south across the continent. The species occupies coniferous (taiga) forests, breeding mainly in spruce (Picea) forests but also uses mixed forests of pine (Pinus), birch (Betula) and aspen (Populus tremula) and even uses pure pine forests (European Red List 2015).

Aegolius funereus has a breeding population size of 32300-128000 pairs and a breeding range size of 1180000 square kilometres in the EU27. The breeding population trend in the EU27 is Fluctuating in the short term and Decreasing in the long term.

The EU population status of Aegolius funereus was assessed as Secure, because the species does not meet any of the IUCN Red List criteria for threatened or Near Threatened, or the criteria for Depleted or Declining (the EU27 population or range has not declined by 20% or more since 1980).