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UrbanCavity nestMedium · 169 g
What the Little Owl sounds like
ID tip
The little owl is a small owl with a flat-topped head, a plump, compact body and a short tail. The facial disc is flattened above the eyes giving the bird a frowning expression. The plumage is greyish-brown, spotted, streaked and barred with white. The underparts are pale and streaked with darker colour. It is usually 22 cm (8.7 in) in length with a wingspan of 56 cm (22 in) for both sexes, and weighs about 180 g (6.3 oz). The adult little owl of the most widespread form, the nominate A. n. noctua, is white-speckled brown above, and brown-streaked white below.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Little Owl
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Little Owl
The map shades 72 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, North Korea.
About the Little Owl
The little owl, also known as the owl of Athena or owl of Minerva, is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the 19th century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early 20th century.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Burrowing OwlAthene cuniculariaBurrowing owls have bright eyes; their beaks can be dark yellow or gray depending on the subspecies.
Spotted OwletAthene bramaThe spotted owlet is a small and stocky bird, barely 21 cm (8.3 in) in size.
White-browed OwlAthene superciliarisThe white-browed owl is a dumpy owl with a large, rounded head which does not have ear tufts.
Side by side: Burrowing Owl vs Little Owl · Little Owl vs Spotted Owlet
Watch the Little Owl on live cams
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