All species
resident
Least ConcernTypical owls
Little Owl
A compact, flat-headed owl with bright yellow eyes and a fierce expression. Introduced to the UK in the 19th century, it is now a familiar bird of farmland and parkland.
Athene noctua
Farmland Woodland Parks Gardens
Size
21-23 cm
Wingspan
54-58 cm
Weight
140-220 g
Lifespan
4-5 years
Diet
Small mammals, insects, worms, small birds and amphibians; often hunts from a perch at dusk.
Song & Call
A sharp, yelping 'kew-ick' or a series of whinnying calls.
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Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Nikolaos Sarikakis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Bright yellow eyes
- Flat-headed profile
- Spotted brown and white plumage
- Short tail
Conservation
Least Concern
Widespread but declines in some areas; benefits from old trees, hedgerows and rough grassland.
