Name

Strigidae

Little owl

Framing

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Aves

Order: Strigiformes

Family: Strigidae

Habitat

Terrestrial. In open areas such as crops and wastelands with nesting sites (hollows in trees, slopes, buildings, cairns). Avoids mountains and closed forests.

Feeding

Predator of arthropods and small vertebrates.

Distribution

Palaearctic, lacking in the northern half of Europe and Asia. Present throughout the Iberian Peninsula, although it is more frequent in arid regions.

Conservation status

Not threatened

Additional information

Small nocturnal raptor (23 cm) and often active during the day. Stubby body without "ears", grey plumage flecked with thick white patches, yellow eyes and very marked white eyebrows. Undulating flight close to the ground, with a series of flaps and closed wings. High-pitched voice reminiscent of a powerful meow. Sedentary.