Finally, after some failed attempts to take a pic of this nocturnal bird along with my inexperience with my camera, I managed to spot him/her in a perfect sunny day and on one of my neighbours' roofs. I know this owl lives in the area where I live because first time I took a dark picture he/she was perching on the house's roof before my house, then in the industrial area (I have several pics but I won't upload them here, maybe on my Tumblr blog) so I took advantage of this fortunate event and took some pics of this cat in bird disguise.
This is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. There are thirteen subspecies of this bird, this one is Athena noctua noctua. Compared to eagle-owls, the little owl has a stocky build, compact body and a short tail. The facial disc is flattened above the eyes giving the bird a frowning expression. The plumage is greyish-brown, spotted, streaked and barred with white. The underparts are pale and streaked with darker colour. It is usually 22 cm in length with a wingspan of 56 cm for both sexes, and weighs about 180 g. Females are slightly larger than males. Juveniles are duller, and lack the adult's white crown spots.
It feeds on a variety of prey and a study of the pellets of indigestible material that the birds regurgitate found mammals formed 20 to 50% of the diet and insects 24 to 49%. Mammals taken included mice, rats, voles, shrews, moles and rabbits. The birds were mostly taken during the breeding season and were often fledglings, and including the chicks of game birds. The insects included Diptera, Dermaptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Sometimes vegetable matter (up to 5%) can be found but it is very likely it's ingested accidentally. Insects and birds are usually caught in flight by the bird. If a male intrudes into the territory of another, the occupier approaches and emits its territorial calls. If the intruder persists, the occupier flies at him aggressively. If this is unsuccessful, the occupier repeats the attack, this time trying to make contact with his claws. In retreat, an owl often drops to the ground and makes a low-level escape. The territory is more actively defended against a strange male as compared to a known male from a neighbouring territory; it has been shown that the little owl can recognise familiar birds by voice.
I previously said the bird is nocturnal but it's partially diurnal and often perches boldly and prominently during the day. The bird's life expectancy is about 16 years but sadly sever winters, car accidents at night can take a toll and make its life expectancy of only 3 years :(
A clutch of 3 to 5 eggs is laid from March to May (an egg is laid every day). The eggs are broadly elliptical, white and without gloss; they measure about 35.5 by 29.5 mm. Incubation period is 27-28 days and the female incubates them. While she is incubating the eggs, the male brings food for her just like many other bird species. At first the chicks are brooded by the female and the male brings in food which she distributes to them. Later, both parents are involved in hunting and feeding them. The young leave the nest at about 7 weeks, and can fly a week or two later.
I admit my first close interaction with this bird was during a summer night where I was on my balcony enjoying the night when I turned around by chance and I saw this bird flying very close to me on my head. It was beautiful and what struck me was the complete silence of his/her flight and I thought: "If I were a mouse, I would be immediately dead before I could react". It was a terrifying yet fascinating death thought and made me appreciate the bird even more. I hope to see him/her again^^
This is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. There are thirteen subspecies of this bird, this one is Athena noctua noctua. Compared to eagle-owls, the little owl has a stocky build, compact body and a short tail. The facial disc is flattened above the eyes giving the bird a frowning expression. The plumage is greyish-brown, spotted, streaked and barred with white. The underparts are pale and streaked with darker colour. It is usually 22 cm in length with a wingspan of 56 cm for both sexes, and weighs about 180 g. Females are slightly larger than males. Juveniles are duller, and lack the adult's white crown spots.
It feeds on a variety of prey and a study of the pellets of indigestible material that the birds regurgitate found mammals formed 20 to 50% of the diet and insects 24 to 49%. Mammals taken included mice, rats, voles, shrews, moles and rabbits. The birds were mostly taken during the breeding season and were often fledglings, and including the chicks of game birds. The insects included Diptera, Dermaptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Sometimes vegetable matter (up to 5%) can be found but it is very likely it's ingested accidentally. Insects and birds are usually caught in flight by the bird. If a male intrudes into the territory of another, the occupier approaches and emits its territorial calls. If the intruder persists, the occupier flies at him aggressively. If this is unsuccessful, the occupier repeats the attack, this time trying to make contact with his claws. In retreat, an owl often drops to the ground and makes a low-level escape. The territory is more actively defended against a strange male as compared to a known male from a neighbouring territory; it has been shown that the little owl can recognise familiar birds by voice.
I previously said the bird is nocturnal but it's partially diurnal and often perches boldly and prominently during the day. The bird's life expectancy is about 16 years but sadly sever winters, car accidents at night can take a toll and make its life expectancy of only 3 years :(
A clutch of 3 to 5 eggs is laid from March to May (an egg is laid every day). The eggs are broadly elliptical, white and without gloss; they measure about 35.5 by 29.5 mm. Incubation period is 27-28 days and the female incubates them. While she is incubating the eggs, the male brings food for her just like many other bird species. At first the chicks are brooded by the female and the male brings in food which she distributes to them. Later, both parents are involved in hunting and feeding them. The young leave the nest at about 7 weeks, and can fly a week or two later.
I admit my first close interaction with this bird was during a summer night where I was on my balcony enjoying the night when I turned around by chance and I saw this bird flying very close to me on my head. It was beautiful and what struck me was the complete silence of his/her flight and I thought: "If I were a mouse, I would be immediately dead before I could react". It was a terrifying yet fascinating death thought and made me appreciate the bird even more. I hope to see him/her again^^
Category Photography / Animal related (non-anthro)
Species Owl
Gender Any
Size 2217 x 1662px
Listed in Folders
I used to have a little owl that would hang out in a spot where I would go, I miss him~
Wonderful photo
Wonderful photo
Awwwww, I hope he is fine. How many years ago did you encounter him?
Thank you^^
Thank you^^
That's a cute little owl! We mostly get tawny owls in my town. I hear them at night sometimes
There are tawny owls here too, I love listening to their calls. I can imitate them. The little owl was introduced to the United Kingdom in the 19th century, and has spread across much of England and the whole of Wales. Maybe one day you will see or listen to one.
I think I've seen one before but many years ago when I was a kid. I love owls, I love hearing their calls.
I love owls and their calls too^^
My mother still thinks they bring bad luck so to mock her superstition, she is always the first person I tell of an owl presence in the area just to "scare" her XD
But after she looks at the pics I took she finds them cute. I still need to remove that stupid superstition in her mind though.
My mother still thinks they bring bad luck so to mock her superstition, she is always the first person I tell of an owl presence in the area just to "scare" her XD
But after she looks at the pics I took she finds them cute. I still need to remove that stupid superstition in her mind though.
I'm sure you can convince her they're nice! Owls were one of my first favourite birds as a child.
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