Bird Guide

Elf Owl vs Great Grey Owl

Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Small41 gShrubland

The elf owl is the world's smallest and lightest owl, although the long-whiskered owlet and the Tamaulipas pygmy owl are of a similarly diminutive length. The mean body weight of this species is 40 g (1.4 oz). These tiny owls are 12.5 to 14.5 cm (4.9 to 5.7 in) long and have a wingspan of about 27 cm (10.5 in). Their primary projection (flight feather) extends nearly past their tail. They have fairly long legs and often appear bow-legged. They are often found in chaparral and are easily found during their breeding season.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Elf Owl
Recorded by Ryan Douglas · Madera Canyon Picnic Grounds, Pima County, Arizona, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: BBODO · CC BY 3.0
Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa)

Great Grey Owl

Strix nebulosa

Large1.1 kgForest

Adults have large, rounded heads with grey faces and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor. A white collar or "bow-tie" is just below the beak. The long tail tapers to a rounded end. In length, the great grey owl is believed to exceed the Eurasian eagle-owl and Blakiston's fish owl as the world's largest owl. The great grey is outweighed by those two species and several others, including most of the genus Bubo.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Great Grey Owl
Recorded by Robert Petersen · Song · Lindesberg Municipality, Örebro County, Sweden · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Loomahuviline69 · CC BY 4.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Elf Owl and Great Grey Owl.