Fun facts about Little Owls!

Little Owls are the smallest species of Owl you may see living in the UK – they’re often seen perched on fence posts, or hopping in between branches of old oak or ash trees – but how much do you really know about these adorable owls?

  1. They are pretty tiny – with the males (who are usually smaller than the females) weighing in as light as 100 grams!
  2. Whilst they can often be heard vocalising through the night, Little Owls often actually prefer to hunt and be active during the day.
  3. They are happy to predate a wide range of different prey – including invertebrates, and have been recorded predating over 500 different species!
  4. Large white coloured plumage markings above their eyes and on the back of their heads have evolved to confuse predators by mimicking larger eyes!
  5. They were actually introduced here from mainland Europe in the 18th century by landowners, but have evolved to fit into our native ecosystems.
  6. They aren’t the longest lived owls, and on average will live about ten years
  7. Choosing a mate for life, they are what we call monogamous.
  8. Breeding pairs live apart over the winter, and the males will usually hold down the breeding territory whilst the females move further affield
  9. Due to their size, they are naturally cautious of predators – sparrowhawks being one of the prime candidates!
  10. Each year they will lay a single clutch of eggs, and would be highly successful if they were able to rear 3-4 chicks.

Little Owls are one of the species monitored by our Cavity Nesting Species Programme. You can find out more about our charitable projects here, or you can make a donation today.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *