The little owl
Click on photos to enlarge
Scientific name: Athene noctua
Length: 23 – 27.5cm
Breeding habitat: open country with mixture of fields, copses, cliffs, gardens, parks, hedgerows and trees
Food: insects, birds, small amphibians and snakes
Nest: pairs build nests in holes in trees or buildings and lay a clutch of up to six eggs
Identification: Small with large, broadly-rounded head, long legs and short tail.
Call: Most common call is kee-ew in falsetto. Listen to calls on the RSPB website.
These photos of one of my favourite owl species were taken in a field in Hampshire, England. I really like the background formed by the lines of the tree branches. The beauty of nature can be so simple.
Links
- World Owl Trust – owls.org
The World Owl Trust is a charity which works on owl conservation on a global scale, and their conservation programmes protect populations of endangered owls until their habitat has been restored.
- The Barn Owl Centre of Gloucestershire – barnowl.co.uk
A charity dedicated to advancing the conservation and preservation of the wild barn owl and other British owls and raptor species through environmental projects and research studies, as well as providing a sanctuary to help rescue and rehabilitation.
- The Hawk and Owl Trust – hawkandowl.org/Species/Owls/Littleowl
Dedicated to conserving owls and other birds of prey in the wild.
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- Entry for little owl in the RSPB's bird guide – rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/l/littleowl/index.aspx
- BBC – bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Little_Owl