Animals

The Little Owl (Athene noctua) is a bird which is resident in much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It is not native to Great Britain, but was first introduced in 1842, and is now naturalised there. It was also successfully introduced to the South Island of New Zealand in the early 20th century.

This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.

Little Owls are easily recognised by their small, squat, flat-headed, long-legged shape and relatively grey plumage heavily marked with white. They have a distinctively bounding flight, gliding upwards before they land, showing broad rounded wings.

Owls have forward facing eyes to give them stereoscopic vision, which means that they can look at any object with both eyes at once and by comparing the angles from these two different points of view can judge how far away the object is. This, of course, is essential in capturing prey. To get an even better idea of distance, all owls, and Little Owls in particular, will try to look at an interesting object from as many angles as possible and this explains the bobbing and weaving mannerisms which are typical of this species.

Breeds and winters in orchards, hedgerows and open areas with drystone walls or derelict buildings.