The Little Owl, Our Village Neighbour

By Jose Luis Gallego, environmental communicator (@ecogallego)

Few bird species, and even fewer nocturnal raptors, inspire as much love and affection among rural people as our diminutive protagonist: the little owl. 

Found in great numbers and almost everywhere, the little owl is undoubtedly the most popular owl in Spain. Small and pudgy in appearance, little owls have beautifully mottled chocolate brown and white colouring. When perched, the little owl’s large head (equivalent to one third of its body) is particularly striking, as are the impressive talons.  

Little owl on a wooden slat  

If we spot them during the day, which is far more common than one might expect from a nocturnal bird, we’ll immediately notice the owl’s enormous yellow eyes framed by white feathers. Unlike some of its relatives, little owls do not have tufts. A medium-sized bird, little owls stand about 25 centimetres tall and can weigh up to around 200 grams.    

Little owls aren’t partial to the deep woods, preferring instead to nest in abandoned buildings and structures at the edge of villages, which is why many rural residents consider them to be just another neighbour. Lively and restless, little owls are the first nocturnal raptors to leave their roost when the sun begins to set, far earlier than barn or tawny owls. 

Given their fondness for being out at dusk, it is common to encounter a little owl on a late afternoon or early evening stroll.  Whether perched on a roof or a wooden pole along the way, on a fence, a dry wall, or a traffic sign, seeing the silhouette of the little owl always delights nature lovers. 

Little owl resting in a tree

Upon seeing a human, little owls will rarely take off immediately. Curious by nature, they’ll stay put and observe us for a moment – suspiciously, warily – with their enormous eyes.  All the while they will bob their heads up and down – the little owl’s amusing gesture of alarm. Keeping their gaze trained on us, they will eventually perceive our presence as a threat and fly off discreetly and silently, as all nocturnal raptors do. One of the best ways of spotting a little owl is by waiting for its call. 

Males have a very distinctive call similar to the mewing of a cat, which echoes through the village streets at night. Locals will even refer to this peculiar and unmistakable sound as the maullido del mochuelo or “the mewing of the little owl”. Although the call can be heard year-round, it is especially noticeable during the first few weeks of spring when the mating season begins, and males defend their territories. By contrast, females are far more discreet and quieter. 

Little owls nest in the crevices of stone houses, under roofs, on porches, in sheds and stables. They might even do so inside farmhouses, where they live alongside farmers who respect their presence. Although it also catches all kinds of small birds, reptiles, and amphibians, this little raptor mainly eats rodents, insects, and worms. This makes the little owl the farmer’s ally in controlling pests, such as locusts, voles, and many others that pose a threat to crops.  

Given how beneficial their presence is to farmers, we will often see nesting boxes specifically designed for little owls around vineyards, olive groves or meadowlands – a perfect example of the symbiosis between nature and those who work the land that is a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture.

The number of little owls in Spain has decreased by more than 40% over the past decade. In addition to an increase in industrial farming and the illegal use of poisons, the little owls’ habit of prowling roadside ditches in search of food is a major threat to these birds. In fact, little owls are among the species with the highest mortality rate because of being hit by cars. This means we should slow down and be vigilant when driving on country roads at night.

In Ancient Greece, the little owl was a sacred animal, the favourite of the goddess Athena. As the symbol of the city of Athens, the owl’s image adorned coins, and harassing or harming little owls in any way was strictly forbidden. This inspired their scientific name: Athene noctua. Beyond their iconic character, little owls are among the best bioindicators of the health of our agricultural ecosystems, yet another reason for us to enjoy their presence and to respect and protect them.