If you expect to soar with the eagles during the day, you can’t hoot with the owls at night.
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Elf Owl
The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is a member of the owl family Strigidae.
It breeds in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is the world’s second smallest owl, the first being a Pygmy owl.
Identification Tips:
• Length: 5.25 inches Wingspan: 15 inches
• Very small, nocturnal, predatory bird
• Large, rounded head
• Yellow eyes
• Brown upperparts with white spots
Elf Owl: Have you seen this bird?
• Sexes similar
• Inhabits the southwestern United States
Similar species:
The Elf Owl can be told from other owls by its small size, yellow eyes, short tail and by voice.
To reproduce they choose an abandoned woodpecker cavity and the female lays 3 round white eggs.
They raise their young in north-facing woodpecker cavities in Saguaro cacti, sycamores, cottonwoods and other hardwood trees.
Elf Owls feed mainly on insects and therefore occupy habitats with a ready supply of these.
Elf owls are known to eat scorpions, even though they are poisonous. They probably cut off their tails before they eat them.
If you expect to soar with the eagles during the day, you can’t hoot with the owls at night.
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If you expect to soar with the eagles during the day, you can’t hoot with the owls at night.
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