Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) | Photos, Calls and ID

LCLeast ConcernInvertebrates

ShrublandCavity nestSmall · 41 g

What the Elf Owl sounds like

Sonogram of the Elf Owl: time runs left to right, pitch bottom to top, and the brighter the mark the louder the sound.

Recorded by Ryan Douglas · Madera Canyon Picnic Grounds, Pima County, Arizona, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Recorded by steve · Song · El Refugio, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Recorded by Diana Doyle · Begging call, call · Battiste Bed, Breakfast and Birds, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

ID tip

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.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Elf Owl

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 6 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Elf Owl

Regular range

The map shades 2 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

United States Mexico

About the Elf Owl

The elf owl is a small grayish-brown owl about the size of a sparrow found in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula. It has pale yellow eyes highlighted by thin white "eyebrows" and a gray bill with a horn-colored tip. The elf owl frequently inhabits woodpecker holes in saguaro cacti; it also nests in natural tree cavities. It is nocturnal and feeds primarily on insects.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Indian Scops OwlOtus bakkamoenaThe Indian scops owl is a small 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in) owl, although it is one of the largest of the scops owls.

Brown BoobookNinox scutulataThe brown boobook is a medium-sized owl with a length of 32 cm (13 in).

Great Grey OwlStrix nebulosaAdults have large, rounded heads with grey faces and yellow eyes with darker circles around them.

Side by side: Elf Owl vs Indian Scops Owl · Brown Boobook vs Elf Owl · Elf Owl vs Great Grey Owl

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