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What is an Elf Owl?

Henry Gaudet
Henry Gaudet

The elf owl, or micrathene whitneyi, is the world's smallest species of owl. They take their Latin name from Josiah Dwight Whitney, a 19th century geologist in the United States. Other names for the elf owl include the dwarf owl, Whitney’s owl, Whitney’s elf owl and the Texas elf owl. In Mexico, it is called enano.

A typical adult elf owl is measures about 5 inches (13 cm) long. Weighing about 1 to 1.5 ounces (30 to 40 grams), it is roughly the size of a sparrow. A wingspan of about 9 inches (23 cm) is typical.

Elf owls are grayish brown, dappled with brown and white spots. Unlike many other species of owl, the elf owl’s round head does not have ear tufts. It does, however, have distinctive white eyebrows over yellow eyes and a small gray beak.

Centipedes are common prey of the elf owl.
Centipedes are common prey of the elf owl.

Native to the deserts of the southwest U.S. and Mexico, elf owls often make their homes near stream beds or other water sources. They nest in abandoned woodpecker holes found in sycamores and oaks, but they are best known for nesting in giant saguaro cacti. Owls native to northern regions migrate to Mexico for the winter.

Males select nesting sites and then attempt to attract a female. Occasionally, there is competition for nests, both with other owls and with the woodpeckers who made the nests. In April or May, the female elf owl lays one to five eggs, which hatch in about three weeks. Within a month, these hatchlings are able to fly and hunt for food themselves.

Nesting in trees keeps elf owls safe from coyotes and other predators.
Nesting in trees keeps elf owls safe from coyotes and other predators.

Lacking the strength of larger owls, elf owls typically hunt arthropods such as spiders and insects. Grasshoppers, moths, scorpions, locusts, centipedes and beetles are common prey. Elf owls only rarely attack larger animals such as mice, birds or lizards.

Like all owls, elf owls are nocturnal and hunt at night. Keen night vision and acute hearing help to make elf owls effective hunters. They are able to fly silently and possess excellent maneuverability in the air. Although they are able to forage on the ground or in a tree, they prefer to snatch up prey while in flight.

When faced with larger predators, the elf owl usually will attempt to flee. By nesting in tall trees and cacti, they are able to avoid most ground-based predators such as snakes, coyotes and bobcats. When an elf owl is captured, it often will “play dead” until the attacker loses interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Elf Owl and where can it be found?

The Elf Owl is the world's smallest owl species, measuring just about 5 inches in length. Native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, these diminutive birds prefer woodlands and desert environments. They are particularly fond of areas with saguaro cacti, where they often nest in abandoned woodpecker holes.

What does the Elf Owl eat?

Despite their small size, Elf Owls are proficient hunters, primarily feeding on insects and arthropods. Their diet includes moths, crickets, scorpions, and beetles. They hunt at night, using their excellent night vision and hearing to locate prey in the darkness.

How does the Elf Owl adapt to its environment?

Elf Owls have adapted remarkably to their desert habitats. They avoid the daytime heat by being nocturnal and use their camouflaged plumage to blend into the environment. During breeding season, they utilize natural cavities in trees or cacti to protect their eggs and young from predators and extreme temperatures.

What are the breeding habits of Elf Owls?

Elf Owls breed between April and July. They don't build their own nests but instead use abandoned cavities created by other birds, like woodpeckers. A typical clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs, and both parents share in the incubation duties. The young are ready to fledge in about a month.

Are Elf Owls endangered?

Currently, Elf Owls are not considered endangered. However, they are subject to the same environmental pressures as many species, such as habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts are important to ensure their habitats are preserved and that their populations remain stable.

How do Elf Owls communicate?

Elf Owls have a variety of vocalizations used for communication, including yelps, chuckles, and whistles. These sounds play a crucial role during the breeding season, as males call to attract mates and both sexes communicate to maintain pair bonds. Their calls can also be a means to defend territory against other owls.

Discussion Comments

anon260558

I believe that the Elf owl is actually quite interesting.

orangey03

I had never seen an elf owl until my dog caught one. He noticed that something was moving in a hole in the tree trunk, so he stood up on it until the owl flew out, and he caught it in his mouth.

I screamed when I saw it, because it was limp and I thought he had killed it. He did lose interest when it stopped fighting to get away.

Once he walked away from it, I saw it flutter. It stood up slowly and flew onto a high branch of a nearby tree. I understand why they usually live up high. This one made its new home far away from the reach of my dog.

Perdido

@lighth0se33 – I'm not sure if this applies to elf owls, but I know that it is illegal to own a regular owl as a pet without a special handler's license in the United States. For this reason, you probably won't be able to find a pet shop that carries them, and I wouldn't recommend going out into the wild and capturing one.

I have read that owls don't like being touched. Your niece couldn't show affection to an owl like she could to a cat or dog.

Also, since they are active at night, I imagine they would make a lot of noise in their cages and make it difficult for your niece to sleep. An elf owl might be cute and interesting, but as a pet, it would only make life difficult.

lighth0se33

It's so weird to me to think of a bird with white eyebrows! The fact that it is so tiny makes it even more strange. I would imagine that large white eyebrows overwhelm its face.

Does anyone know if elf owls make good pets? I'm looking for something adorable and unique to give my niece for Christmas, and she loves owls. I know that getting a large owl is not an option, because she is a small girl and that might scare her.

She would probably think an elf owl was the cutest thing she ever saw! It would be a great thing for her to take to school for show and tell, also.

Oceana

When I saw the title of this article, I expected to read that an elf owl was maybe half the size of a regular owl. I had no idea that it would be as small as it is!

I think it's crazy that something that teeny can hunt at night. I could barely see an insect on a bright, moonlit evening. I can't imagine this creature being able to spy small insects in the dark.

Nature is truly amazing. An elf owl is just one of the world's oddities that illustrates the vastness of the variety of life here.

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    • Centipedes are common prey of the elf owl.
      By: evegenesis
      Centipedes are common prey of the elf owl.
    • Nesting in trees keeps elf owls safe from coyotes and other predators.
      By: gabe9000c
      Nesting in trees keeps elf owls safe from coyotes and other predators.