Little Owl

Athene noctua

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Aves · Strigiformes · Strigidae

About

The little owl, also known as the owl of Athena or owl of Minerva, is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the 19th century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early 20th century.

Fun Fact

Little owls were sacred to the Greek goddess Athena and appeared on Athenian silver coins for centuries — the phrase 'bringing owls to Athens' (meaning a pointless act) stems from this abundance.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Farmland and semi-open terrain

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

3-5 years

Threats

Climate Change
Human-Wildlife Conflict

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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