© Photo by Luke Massey/2020VISION Little Owl Athene Noctua The diminutive little owl is diurnal and hunts invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and small birds. © Photo By Andy Rouse/2020VISION It’s often seen perched on telegraph poles, on branches in old trees in parkland or along hedgerows, or on rocks, from where it quietly scans the ground for prey. Once spotted, the little owl swoops down and catches its victim with either its claws or beak. Little owls breed between March and August, forming monogamous pairs and nesting in hollow trees. How to Identify Unmistakable: the little owl is a small, brown, short-tailed, yellow-eyed owl. Where to find England, Wales and southern Scotland. How People Can Help In some parts of Europe, the little owl is undergoing declines due to changing farming practices, road deaths and persecution. Therefore, the population of little owls in Britain could be important in the future. The Wildlife Trusts manage nature reserves across town and country to benefit all kinds of wildlife. Help us to help wildlife by joining, volunteering or getting involved in a campaign. Did you know? The little owl was introduced to Britain from the continent in the 19th century. Key FactsLength: 21-23cmWingspan: 56cmWeight: 180gAverage lifespan: 3 years Donate Donate to help support Little Owl and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Teal Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds