Elf Owl

The elf owl is the smallest North American owl measuring about 5 1/4 inches with a wingspan of about 15 inches. This tiny owl has yellow eyes, a rounded head and rounded body, a short tail and sturdy unfeathered legs. It has brown upperparts with white spots and a brown and gray breast with a white belly.

Like most owls, the elf owl is strictly nocturnal. It roosts and nests in cavities in saguaros and trees in deserted woodpecker holes. The female usually lays 2 - 5 eggs which hatch in about 24 days.

The elf owl breeds in the southwestern United States and migrates to Mexico in the winter. It spends most of its time in desert lowlands and in canyons, especially in oaks and sycamores; it is fairly common in foothills and sometimes found in Texas and California although its population in these states is declining.

The elf owl's diet consists of mostly insects but it will also eat lizards and mice.



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