Elf owl

CUTE but did not see it in real life

Northern Saw-Whet. M

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Mountsberg Canon Asia - EOS 100D Advertising Campaign, Exclusive 1-Year License

The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is a species of owl native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. They are considered the smallest and lightest owl in the world, and the only member of the genus Micrathene. They only weigh about 1.4 oz, smaller than even a northern cardinal. It would take 35 elf owls to equal the weight of a great horned owl. It is so small, that it uses cactus holes made and abandoned by Gila woodpeckers. Elf owls usually lay 2 to 4 eggs, but can lay anywhere from…

BBC Earth on Instagram: “Dozing off 😴⁣ ⁣ #EarthCapture by @dharamveersinghjodha ⁣ ⁣ The spotted owlet (Athene brama) is a relatively small owl standing at 19-21cm…”

Elf Owl perched on a small tree stump - Tortalita Mountains, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)

The Elf Owl – The Tiniest Owl In The World. In southwest Texas and southern Arizona, elf owls can be found in forests and desert cactus habitats. In arid areas, they usually nest in woodpecker holes in tall saguaro cactus. Image Credit; Joshua Stewart. vF 7-19-22