# Little Owl (*Athene noctua*) The Little Owl is a small, cute bird that loves to hunt at night. With big yellow eyes and a soft, spotted body, it can be found in fields and gardens, making it a delightful sight for nature lovers. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Athene owl, Common owl ![Little Owl](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Athene_noctua%252C_Ambula%252C_Montenegro_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Athene_noctua%252C_Ambula%252C_Montenegro_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Little Owl is a small, compact owl with a flattened head and bright yellow eyes. It has mottled brown and white plumage, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark or stone. It lacks ear tufts, unlike many other owl species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Athene ## Interesting facts - If scared, a Little Owl will stand tall and sway to look bigger and scarier! - Little Owls often use old burrows of rabbits or badgers as their cozy homes! - These tiny owls will sometimes save extra food in their nests for later snacks. - They make a distinctive "kew-kew" call that sounds like a little dog barking. ## Special abilities - **Silent Hunter:** Little Owl has soft, fringed feathers that help them fly almost silently, allowing them to ambush prey undetected. - **Head Spinner:** Little Owl can turn its head nearly 270 degrees, giving it a super wide view to spot food without moving its body. - **Day & Night Vision:** Little Owl has bright yellow eyes that help them see clearly in both dim light and bright daylight, making them unique day hunters. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 21-23 cm - **Wingspan:** 54-58 cm - **Weight:** 0.16-0.23 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-10 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 28-33 days ## Diet & Feeding These small owls love to snack on insects and small rodents! - **Primary Foods:** large insects, earthworms, voles, mice, small birds, amphibians - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — Larger owls sometimes prey on Little Owls. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes are opportunistic predators of adult and young owls. - **Hunts:** [Common Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-vole) (*Microtus arvalis*) — A primary food source, caught on the ground. - **Hunts:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Often caught at dusk or after rain. - **Shelter:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Often nests in abandoned rabbit burrows. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see an owl, watch quietly from a distance. Don't try to touch it! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Little Owl? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Little Owl? 21-23 cm ### What is Little Owl's wingspan? 54-58 cm ### How much does Little Owl weigh? 0.16-0.23 kg ### How long does Little Owl live? 3-10 years ### How fast can Little Owl move? 60 km/h ### What does Little Owl eat? These small owls love to snack on insects and small rodents! ### Where is Little Owl usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Tiergarten Eisenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-eisenberg) — Thüringen, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark & Kloster Riesa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-riesa) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo - [Heimatnaturgarten Weißenfels](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heimatnaturgarten-weissenfels) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [Tier- und Kulturpark Bischofswerda](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-bischofswerda) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo - [Avesnois Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/avesnois-regional-nature-park) — Hauts-de-France, FR · Park - [Cancarix Volcanic Plug Natural Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cancarix-volcanic-plug-natural-monument) — Castilla-La Mancha, ES · Park [View all places to see Little Owl](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/little-owl) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Little Owl: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-owl)