Hello, I am a little owl and might be one of the most colourful inhabitants of the animal kingdom. My species is found all over the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe to Asia and North Africa.
I like living in the countryside, preferably in an area with old, hollow trees, open fields, and farms.
How do I look?
I am small and compact. I am not much larger than a blackbird, you know, with my 23 cm length, but I seem larger because of my beautiful plumage. I weigh 140 grams and with that, I am not even one of the heaviest. There are little owls that weigh 200 grams! I am perfectly balanced. I even have a wingspan of 55 cm. The blackbird certainly can't say that!
My plumage is predominantly brown to gray-brown with white streaks and beautiful teardrop-shaped spots. I also have beautiful tufts on my legs, although you rarely see them.
My striking features are my beautiful bright yellow eyes and light eyebrows.
And did you know that the back of my head looks exactly like my face? Only my yellow eyes appear more like squinting eyes. Perfect camouflage, and anyone who sees me from the back gets a fright, haha!
My meal
At sunset, my hunting round begins. I am a true carnivore and primarily eat mice, but I also like insects, snails, and worms. My sharp claws and beak help me catch and devour my prey.
I usually hunt from a low vantage point, such as a pole or a tree stump. From there, I can calmly survey the farmer's field, looking for my favorite delicacies. With my excellent sight and hearing, nothing escapes me. As soon as I have prey in sight, I quickly and silently swoop down on it.
Reproduction
Speaking of reproduction, as a little owl, I am monogamous. My partner and I, we stay together for our entire lives. The breeding season starts in April, and I usually lay four to five eggs in a nest in a tree cavity. After about four weeks, the kids hatch from the eggs. After another 4 weeks, they fledge, but they stay near their father and me for a while.
In summary, as a small but feisty owl, I keep myself standing in the vast world. From hunting in the countryside to raising my young, I play a crucial role in the local ecosystem. And although you don't always see me, I am always present, quiet but alert, watching over the night in my favorite habitat.
Finally, it doesn't matter where you live, in the countryside or in the city, you can always make a difference for animals like me. Plant trees, create nesting places, and let your garden be a bit wild, so that we, and other wildlife, can find a suitable home.
Little owl, out.
