Latin Name: Athene noctua
Description: A small, flat headed and short tailed owl with pale yellow eyes. It has a brownish yellow plumage with white spots and flecks.
Habitat: The little owl prefers wooded areas and orchards although it can be found in villages and city areas. This owl is often found in farmland areas.
Food: The little owl eats large insects, spiders, mice, small birds and reptiles.
Distribution: The little owl can be found throughout the British Isles all year round and is a common bird on the Continent.
Nesting: The little owl generally nests in holes in trees or holes in stone walls. Very little nesting material is used and the little owl will rarely nest in a building.
Eggs: The eggs of the little owl are white and the breeding season for the little owl is from April to June. The females lay 3-5 eggs with an incubation period of 24-28 days. The fledglings leave the nest after approximately 34 days.
Did You Know?
- The little owl is normally active during the day and night.
- The little owl has a variety of cries.
- The little owl was the introduced into Great Britain in the late nineteenth century.
Read all about the Little Owl spotted in the lane.