Latin Etymology: Athene (after the Greek goddess, who bird was the owl) noctua (sacred owl of Athene)
Adult Little Owl (subspecies A. n. vidalii) at Geddington, Northants - November 2022
Weight: 180g / Length: 22cm / Wingspan: 56cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Despite theoretically being the second most common owl in Britain and being more diurnal that most, it is that last owl for me to see, during this challenge or otherwise. It's size might be a factor in that it makes it harder to distinguish at a distance. Combined with the fact that it doesn't roost in the day and is of much more subtle colouring that the distinctive pale barn owl it becomes a bird that is easy to see if you know where to look. When you do see one though it is definitely worth it as they are very charming little birds. Photographing them is at least helped by the fact you'll likely see them in daylight hours.
Related Species:
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Athene
Subspecies: A. n. noctua, A. n. ubdugena, A. n. vidalii, A. n. glaux, A. . saharae, A. n. bactriana, A. n. indigena, A. n. spilagastra, A. n. somaliensis, A. n. orientalis, A. n. impasta, A. n. ludlowi, A. n. plumipes
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - An introduced resident (5,700 pairs)
- A pair used to roost near Geddington. Birds also seen in Oare Marshes
- MADRID 2016 TRIP: A pair living in the roof of an old barn at Laguna Navaseca
Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, Wikipedia, RSPB, Xeno-canto
