Owls
Little Owl
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Athene noctua
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Voice
Alarm
Call
Song
Song
Song
Alarm
How to recognize it
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About 22 cm long, compact build
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Flat-topped head, whitish brows and pale yellow eyes
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Light brown back with rounded white spots; white underparts with brown streaks
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Often perches openly by day, including around buildings
About the species
A sandy-brown back and crown, flecked with white, contrast with pale underparts marked by brown streaks. White spots continue across the shoulders, and pale brows sit above yellow eyes beneath a broad, flat-topped head. The facial disc is only faintly marked. Its short, dark tail shows as it lifts off.
From an elevated perch, it watches for insects and other small prey, then may swoop down or chase them on the ground. It sometimes hides surplus food in holes. Its repeated call is “kiew, kiew,” sometimes mixed with whistles or trills, and it may perch openly in daylight despite being mostly active at night.
It uses open country, from farmland with hedges, orchards and woodland edges to stony, dry ground, and also turns up in parks, gardens, villages and around old buildings. It eats insects, earthworms, mice, lizards and other small animals. It generally stays in the same area through the year.
Did you know?
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Recognises neighbours by voice
A male usually holds one territory for life. When another male intrudes, the occupier first calls, then flies at him, and if that fails attacks again, trying to strike with his claws. A stranger meets a harder defence than a known neighbour: little owls have been shown to recognise familiar birds by voice.
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Sits in plain view as people pass
Partly active in daylight, it often sits out in the open on a prominent perch by day. Where people are about constantly, these owls may grow used to them and stay put, in full view, while humans pass.
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Watermark on a Dutch banknote
In 1992 the owl appeared as the watermark on the Netherlands' 100 guilder banknote, designed by Jaap Drupsteen.
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Where to find
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In city parks and gardens, look during the day for a Little Owl perched in an open, elevated spot — in busy areas it may stay in full view.
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By old buildings and walls in suburbs, listen at night in late spring for calls near nesting sites.
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In steppes and stony semi-deserts in the eastern range, watch for prey being chased along the ground.
