Little Owl Bird Facts (Athene noctua)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Little Owl is a compact, round-headed owl with a flattened crown. Its plumage is predominantly mottled brown and grey, with white spots on the upperparts and streaks on the underparts. The rounded face features striking yellow eyes framed by pale eyebrows, giving it a stern or grumpy expression.

Both sexes look similar, although females grow slightly larger than males. The fluffy juveniles are paler than adults and have buff-coloured spots and plain brown crowns.

The Little Owl does not undergo seasonal plumage changes, maintaining its distinctive appearance year-round.

Size

Length

21cm to 23cm

Wingspan

54cm to 58cm

Weight

140g to 200g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Little Owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Little Owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Little Owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Little Owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Little Owl can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Little Owl can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Little Owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Little Owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Little Owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Little Owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Little Owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Little Owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Little Owls inhabit a wide range of open habitats, including farmland, parkland, and woodland edges. They are particularly fond of areas with old trees or buildings that provide nesting cavities. Originally native to continental Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, Little Owls have been introduced to the UK.

In Britain, they are widely distributed across England and Wales but are absent from Scotland and Ireland. Their range extends across much of Europe and into Central Asia, with populations remaining relatively stable throughout the year.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,600 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little 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

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Algeria Andorra Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Chad Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia France Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iran Iraq Italy Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Mali Mauritania Moldova Morocco Netherlands Niger Oman Palestine Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Saudi Arabia Slovakia Slovenia Somalia Spain Sudan Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates Yemen

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina China Georgia Germany India Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Mongolia Montenegro Nepal New Zealand Pakistan Poland Serbia South Korea Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Western Sahara

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Finland Ireland Malta North Korea Norway Sweden

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.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

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 Little Owl demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in its hunting techniques. Its ability to pounce on ground prey and catch insects in flight showcases its nimble nature. The owl's compact size and round-headed shape likely contribute to its manoeuvrability in various habitats.

Strength 40

Strength

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

Whilst not particularly strong compared to larger owl species, the Little Owl possesses sufficient strength to capture and carry small mammals and birds. Its size category of 'Small' and weight range of 140-200 grams suggest moderate strength for its size.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

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

Little Owls exhibit high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from farmland to urban areas. Their ability to nest in various structures, including trees, buildings, and rocky outcrops, demonstrates their adaptable nature. Additionally, their opportunistic diet and capacity to hunt both day and night further highlight their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

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

Despite their small size, Little Owls display notable aggressiveness, particularly in territorial defence. Their willingness to mob larger birds of prey entering their territory indicates a bold and aggressive temperament. This behaviour is quite remarkable for a bird of its size.

Endurance 65

Endurance

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

Little Owls show moderate endurance. Their ability to be active during both day and night suggests good stamina. However, as small birds, their energy reserves are likely limited compared to larger species. Their resident status in the UK implies they can withstand varying seasonal conditions, indicating decent endurance.

Diet

Little Owls are opportunistic hunters. They feed primarily on small mammals like voles and mice, but they also consume insects, earthworms, and small birds.

These owls hunt from perches, pouncing on prey on the ground, and occasionally catch insects in flight, showcasing their versatile hunting techniques. Larger prey, like rodents, are caught in their talons, but insects are taken with the bill.

Behaviour

Little Owls are primarily nocturnal but can be active during daylight, especially at dawn and dusk. They often perch conspicuously on posts, buildings, or tree branches, bobbing their heads when alert.

These owls are territorial and may mob larger birds of prey that enter their domain, displaying remarkable boldness for their size.

Vocalisation

Little Owls are a vocal species, particularly in the late winter and spring leading up to the breeding season. Their vocal repertoire includes a variety of calls. The most characteristic is a sharp, yelping 'Weeu' or 'kiew-kiew' often repeated quickly.

During courtship, males produce a softer, purring trill. When alarmed or excited, they may emit a harsh, high-pitched, rather frantic cackling sound. These vocalisations are typically heard at night but can also occur during daylight hours.

Nesting & Breeding

Little Owls form monogamous pairs, often mating for life. The breeding season typically begins in late March or early April. These owls are cavity nesters, utilising holes in trees, buildings, or rocky outcrops.

Females lay 3-5 white, round eggs in a simple nest scrape within the chosen cavity. The eggs are incubated primarily by the female for about 28-29 days.

Both parents care for the chicks, which fledge after 30-35 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks afterwards. Young owls reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Little Owl populations are declining in parts of Europe due to agricultural intensification and loss of suitable nesting sites.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining traditional farmland habitats and providing nest boxes to support breeding populations.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

5,000,000 - 9,999,999 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Little Owls perched on fence posts or buildings during early morning or late evening.
Listen for their distinctive 'kiew-kiew' call, which is often heard at night.
Its flight is fast and has bounding undulations, similar to a woodpecker.
It can be hard to spot as it flies close to the ground before swooping upwards to perch.
Check old barns, ruins, and hollow trees in farmland areas, as these are favoured nesting sites.
They nest in tree holes, and one parent can often be seen on sentry duty near the nest.
In the UK, scan hedgerows and field margins in agricultural landscapes.
Little Owls lack the facial disc of other species, like the Barn Owl.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Owl of Minerva, Owl of Athena

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Predators

Main predators of Little Owls include larger owls, such as Tawny Owls and Eagle Owls, as well as birds of prey like Goshawks and Sparrowhawks. Ground predators, including foxes and domestic cats, may also pose a threat.

Did You Know?

Little Owls were introduced to the UK in the late 19th century and have since become well-established.
In ancient Greek mythology, the Little Owl was associated with the goddess Athena, symbolising wisdom and knowledge.
Despite their name, Little Owls are not the smallest owl species; that title belongs to the Elf Owl of North America.
The Little Owl is the UK's smallest bird of prey.

FAQs

Can you have a Little Owl as a pet in the UK?

It is legal to keep Little Owls as pets in the United Kingdom. However, the bird must be legitimately captive-bred and may not be released into the wild.

Keeping a captive owl requires careful planning, resources and commitment and is not recommended for anyone but the most dedicated and experienced bird enthusiasts.