Little owls were introduced with the aim of reducing the population of sparrows, which had become pests on farms. There were concerns that they might damage native bird populations, but their diet turned out to be mainly invertebrates - and occasionally small birds, frogs, lizards and mice. They often walk or run about, feeding on the ground.
A little owl is similar in weight to a morepork, but its head is flatter and its tail shorter.
Little owls nest in holes in...
more »Little owls were introduced with the aim of reducing the population of sparrows, which had become pests on farms. There were concerns that they might damage native bird populations, but their diet turned out to be mainly invertebrates - and occasionally small birds, frogs, lizards and mice. They often walk or run about, feeding on the ground.
A little owl is similar in weight to a morepork, but its head is flatter and its tail shorter.
Little owls nest in holes in trees, earth banks, rabbit burrows and buildings. They are not strictly nocturnal - they often appear during the day and sometimes sun themselves.
The natural range of the little owl (Athene noctua) is Europe, North Africa and Asia. Also known as German owls, they were introduced to Britain in the 1870s. Between 1906 and 1910, about 300 little owls were released in Otago and Canterbury.
The little owl weighs about 180 grams, slightly heavier than the native morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae). But its length - about 23 centimetres - is less, because it has a shorter tail.
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