Description:
The smallest owl in Britain. It has a broad rounded head and short tail, which gives it a dumpy appearance. Grey-brown, speckled with white above and it has dense, brown streaks on white beneath. Its bright yellow eyes with prominent white eyebrows give it a frowning expression.

Distribution: 
The smallest owl in Britain. It has a broad rounded head and short tail, which gives it a dumpy appearance. Grey-brown, speckled with white above and it has dense, brown streaks on white beneath. Its bright yellow eyes with prominent white eyebrows give it a frowning expression.

Habitat: 
Open country, farmland, with hedges, ruins, hayricks or other suitable nesting and hiding places. Often seen during the day perched on telegraph pole.

Diet: 
They feed mainly on insects (beetles, moths and spiders) and earthworms, but also small birds, amphibians and mammals, such as shrews.

Breeding: 
The female lays from 3 to 5 eggs in May. Incubation is 22 to 29 days and the young leave the nest at 35 days and are flying well at 46 days.

Call:
Both birds give a loud mewing call, “kee-ew”; often during the day and especially during courtship (March-April).