Little Owls
- Athene noctua
Origin: From
southern Britain eastwards to China and south into northern areas of Africa.
Habitat: Woodland, fields, wasteland
and coastal areas in Britain. Also in semi-desert areas.
Nesting: Buildings, rocky outcrops, hollow
trees and man made nest boxes. Usually lays 3-5 white eggs in April or early
May, which take 28 days to hatch.
Facts: The Little Owl is the smallest
owl that you will find in Britain. It is about 22 cms (8 inches) long and has
a wing span of around 55cm (22inches). It has a flat head and short tail and
its plummage is gray-brown mottled with white.
The diet consists mainly of mice, small birds, worms and other insects, but
it is one of the only owls to eat vegetation. The Little Owl is related to the
American Burrowing Owl.
This owl can sometimes be seen in the daytime, perched
in an upright position on a pole or tree.