Elf Owl

The Elf Owl holds the distinction of being the smallest owl species in the world, barely larger than a sparrow, found in desert and semi-arid woodland of the southwestern United States and Mexico.

It relies almost entirely on cavities excavated by woodpeckers - particularly in saguaro cacti and streamside sycamores or oaks - for nesting and roosting, and is almost entirely absent from areas lacking such cavities.

Its tiny size and finely mottled grey-brown plumage, along with a short tail and lack of ear tufts, make it easy to overlook despite being locally common in the right habitat.

Recognizing the feathers

• Body feathers are grey-brown finely mottled with buff and marked with small white spots, giving a subtle, cryptic pattern.
• Flight feathers are notably tiny and rounded, among the smallest of any owl, reflecting this species' status as the smallest owl in the world.
• Tail feathers are unusually short relative to body size.
• No ear-tuft feathers are present, and the facial disc is plain and pale, with prominent white eyebrow markings.

Similar species

• Its extremely small overall feather size alone distinguishes it from virtually all other North American owls, including the similarly range-overlapping Western Screech-Owl, which is considerably larger.

Plumage

Adults are grey-brown above with fine buff mottling and small white spots, and paler below with light streaking, plus pale eyebrow markings above yellow eyes. Sexes look alike.

Juveniles are similarly patterned but slightly downier before fledging.

Molt occurs over the summer months following breeding.

Habitat & range

Found in the desert Southwest of the United States (Arizona, New Mexico, far west Texas) and much of Mexico, in saguaro cactus desert, oak and sycamore canyons, and other semi-arid woodland with available woodpecker cavities.

Most populations are migratory, moving south into Mexico for winter, with birds returning to breeding areas in spring.

Behavior & field notes

A nocturnal hunter of insects and other small invertebrates, gleaned from vegetation or caught in short flights, reflecting its tiny size and correspondingly modest prey.

It nests almost exclusively in pre-existing woodpecker holes, especially in saguaro cacti and streamside trees, and defends these cavities vocally with a rapid, yipping call.

A tiny, finely mottled grey-brown feather, notably smaller than that of any other owl, found near saguaro cactus stands or oak-sycamore canyons, is a strong indicator of this species.