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Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Least Concern
North America's smallest owl species, elf owls are widespread across the desert landscapes of the US-Mexico borders. Cavities in saguaro cacti are one of their favorite nesting spots.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Elf Owl is the world's smallest owl, measuring just 12.5-14.5 cm in length. Its plumage is predominantly mottled brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark. The owl has large yellow eyes and small, barely visible ear tufts.

Both sexes look similar, although females tend to be marginally larger and heavier. Juveniles are heavily mottled, fluffier with gray and brown plumage. They molt into their full adult coloring after around 4 months.

Size

Length

12.5cm to 14.5cm

Wingspan

25cm to 27cm

Weight

35g to 55g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Elf Owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Elf Owl can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Elf Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Elf Owls inhabit arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, including desert scrub, riparian woodlands, and oak-pine forests. They are particularly associated with areas containing saguaro cacti or trees with suitable nesting cavities.

They are found in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States. Most populations in the US migrate south to Mexico for the winter, returning to breed in spring.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,100 meters

Climate zones

Arid, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Elf Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Mexico United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Elf Owl demonstrates remarkable agility, being described as an agile flyer capable of swift, darting movements when hunting insects. Their ability to manoeuvre quickly in flight is essential for their nocturnal hunting style.

Strength 15

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As the world's smallest owl, weighing about as much as a golf ball, the Elf Owl's strength is quite limited. Their diet primarily consists of insects, which aligns with their small size and relatively low strength.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Elf Owls show high adaptability, inhabiting various environments from sea level to 2,100 meters, including desert scrub, riparian woodlands, and oak-pine forests. Their ability to lower body temperature to conserve energy in cold desert nights further demonstrates their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While Elf Owls are predators, they primarily focus on insects and small prey. Their small size limits confrontations with larger animals. They may display some aggression during breeding season or when defending nests, but overall, they're not particularly aggressive birds.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Elf Owls are nocturnal hunters, active throughout the night. Their ability to migrate between the southwestern United States and Mexico suggests a moderate level of endurance. However, their small size likely limits their overall endurance compared to larger bird species.

Diet

Elf Owls primarily feed on insects, especially moths, beetles, and crickets. They also consume small scorpions and occasionally small lizards or mice.

These owls hunt by swooping down from perches or catching insects in mid-air during short flights.

Behaviour

Elf Owls are nocturnal and become active at dusk. They are agile flyers capable of swift, darting movements when hunting insects.

During the day, these owls roost in tree cavities or dense foliage, often in small groups outside the breeding season.

Vocalisation

The Elf Owl's primary call is a high-pitched, repetitive 'pew pew pew' or 'chuk-chuk-chuk'. Males often give a rapid series of these notes during courtship. They may produce a sharp, cat-like 'mew' or a soft, trilling 'pr-r-r-r' when alarmed.

Nesting & Breeding

Elf Owls typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which runs from late spring to early summer. Males attract females with a series of rapid, high-pitched calls and by showing potential nest sites.

Nests are usually located in abandoned woodpecker holes in saguaro cacti or trees. Females lay 2-4 small, white, nearly spherical eggs. The eggs are incubated primarily by the female for about 24 days.

Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about 28-33 days. The parents may continue to feed the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Elf Owls face threats from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion. Conservation efforts focus on preserving desert ecosystems and maintaining suitable nesting sites, particularly in saguaro cacti.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

72,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Elf Owls in saguaro cacti or tree cavities during the day
  • Listen for their high-pitched, repetitive 'chuk' calls at night
  • Use a flashlight to spot their eyeshine in trees after dark
  • In the US, focus on desert areas of Arizona and Texas

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Whitney's Elf Owl

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 6 years

Predators

Elf Owls face predation from larger owls, hawks, and occasionally snakes. Their small size and nocturnal habits help them avoid many potential predators.

Did You Know?

  1. Elf Owls are the lightest owls in the world, weighing about as much as a golf ball.
  2. They sometimes store live prey in their nests for later consumption.
  3. Elf Owls can lower their body temperature to conserve energy during cold desert nights.

FAQs

Why do Elf owls live in cactus?

Elf owls use cavities in cacti for breeding and roosting. The chambers, hollowed out by woodpeckers, offer shelter from the intense heat and a safe place to rest or raise young, which is inaccessible to predators because of the difficult-to-navigate cactus spines.

References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Micrathene whitneyi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22689325A168847632.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2019: Partners in Flight

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