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Bristol-based freelance owl conservationist Ian McGuire

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In the early part of the 19th century, the little owl was a rare vagrant to the British Isles. Brought in as a natural predator to bullfinches, subsequent introductions were surprisingly successful and although in recent decline it is a common species in England and Wales and is now being recorded over the Scottish border.

VITAL STATISTICS

• Length: 21 - 23cm
• Weight: 150 - 230gms
• Wingspan: 54 - 58cm

• UK Breeding population: 6000 - 11,000 prs *
(* Approximate figures 2007)

VOICE

The Little Owl has at least eight recognised calls, all far-reaching and penetrating. The main two are: a ringing and plaintive ‘kiew’, ‘kiew’, repeated every few seconds and is frequently heard by day. The other is: a loud, rapidly repeated, yelping ‘wherrow’, with the emphasis on the first syllable. At the nest it utters a variety of chattering notes and, during the breeding season, a loud ‘hooo-oo’ note.

CLICK FOR LITTLE OWL CALLS:

Contact call Male territorial call

Disturbed call Alarm call

IDENTIFICATION

The little owl is of small size and dumpy appearance. It has a habit of sitting atop of some post, telegraph pole or other prominent perch. This makes the little owl one of the most frequently observed of owls. It is a deep grey-brown (gray-brown) above, boldly spotted with white. The under-parts are white, with broad, broken streaks of grey-brown (gray-brown). A prominent facial mask is marked by dark areas around the yellow eyes, giving a remarkably ‘cross’ or ‘frowning’ look to the face. There is a dark band at the chin. Like most other owls it perches upright, and it has a bounding, woodpecker-like flight. When threatened it bobs and moves from side to side, as if to get a better look at the danger.