Athene noctua - Little Owl
Feather characters. Barbules are long (1.7-2.1 mm). Generally pigment is concentrated in nodes, but occasionally pigment is also found in parts of internodes. Slightly thickened nodes (14-16 per mm) are present along the entire length of barbules. Basal nodes are much more developed however, abruptly decreasing in size towards distal end. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum.
Field characters. Size 22 cm. Weight 164 g (146-193) (Dunning, 1993). Small brown-grey owl with flat head. Upperparts brown-grey with white spots, underparts whitish grey with long broad brown-grey streaks. Face grey–white with fine dark streaks, appears to be 'frowning' because of low white eyebrows. Eyes bright yellow. Often seen during daytime, sitting on ruins, stones in open country, electricity poles, etc. Frequently bobs its body. Flight low and undulating with folded wings in glide.
Voice. Song reminds one of Redshank-call, a rising 'whuui'. Also agressive 'whieuw'.
Distribution. Resident. Common, but sometimes local. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Usually found in agricultural areas, with scattered trees and hedges; also in orchards, open woodland, dunes, and semi–desert. Nests in hollow trees, in ruins, in holes in the ground, etc.
Food. Voles, mice, small birds, insects, worms.