Aegolius funereus can be found in subalpine and boreal forests across the northern hemisphere, including the Neartic and Palearctic regions of the globe. Its range generally follows the northern forest belt.

In North America, where they are known as boreal owls, the range extends from Alaska to eastern Canada.

In Eurasia A. funereus is called Tengmalm’s owl. In Europe they are found mostly in Scandinavia, though there are several scattered populations also found in subalpine forests in the central mountain regions. The range of Tengmalm’s owls extends eastward from Scandinavia, stretching across virtually all of northern Siberia, as they inhabit the taiga lowlands. Their range dips south as it approaches the Pacific Ocean, occurring throughout forested mountains north of the Korean Peninsula.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic