little owl little owl bird inhabits temperate warmer parts europe korea north africa introduced britain end nineteenth century new_zealand early twentieth century owl member typical true owl family contains species owl grouping barn small coloured mainly nocturnal species found range habitats including farmland woodland fringes semi feeds insects invertebrates small males hold territories defend owl cavity clutch eggs laid spring female male brings food nest female later newly hatched young chicks grow parents hunt bring food chicks leave nest seven weeks age common species wide range large total population assessed conservation status concern description little owl small owl flat topped head compact body short tail facial disc flattened eyes giving bird expression plumage brown spotted barred white pale darker colour usually centimetres length wingspan centimetres sexes weighs grams adult little owl widespread form nominate white brown brown white large head long legs yellow eyes white stern expression juveniles lack adult white crown spots species flight like rounded general appearance birds different frequently calls breeding season calls pair duet sounds vicinity nest distribution habitat distribution widespread europe asia north_africa range extends denmark eastwards china southwards africa present egypt red_sea bird introduced new_zealand united_kingdom spread england wales species found open countryside great range habitats include agricultural land trees woodland parks gardens semi present areas dunes vicinity ruins rocky ventures villages suburbs united_kingdom chiefly bird usually occurs continental europe asia found higher elevations individual recorded behaviour ecology owl usually elevated position ready small creature notices feeds prey insects small including amphibians reptiles birds mammals pursue prey ground surplus food holes hiding places study material birds found mammals formed diet insects mammals taken included mice rats rabbits birds taken breeding season including chicks game birds insects included vegetable matter included diet accidentally little owl territorial male normally remaining territory life boundaries expand contract largest courtship season spring home range bird actually hunts food varies type habitat time year male territory approaches territorial calls flies aggressively unsuccessful repeats attack time trying contact claws retreat owl drops ground makes low level escape territory actively defended strange male compared known male neighbouring territory shown little owl recognise familiar birds voice owl vocal night breeding season approaches late spring nesting location varies habitat nests found holes trees cliffs walls old buildings river banks rabbit clutch eggs laid occasionally eggs broadly elliptical white measure female starts sitting egg laid eggs male brings food eggs hatch days chicks female male brings food later parents involved hunting feeding young leave nest seven weeks fly week later usually single brood food abundant young disperse seldom travel kilometres pairs birds remain year round bond partner dies little owl partly prominently day living area large human activity little grow humans remain perch view people little owl life sixteen years birds reach maturity severe winters toll birds killed road vehicles night average lifespan order years status extremely large range estimated thousand million breeding pairs europe europe global range world population million million birds population believed stable reasons assessed bird conservation status concern human culture depicted onwards forms drawings pottery wooden posts main generic identifiable species little owl closely associated greek goddess roman goddess represents wisdom knowledge little owl olive branch appears greek coin 5th century bronze statue holding bird hand little owl thought heralded murder genus commemorates goddess original role goddess night explain link owl species effect meaning latin owl sacred roman counterpart little owl appeared netherlands
Little owl