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Little Owl
"Lily"
Lily was hatched on 21st May 2018 and is the smallest species of owl found in the UK! Despite her size, she has one of the biggest attitudes at the Centre. She is definitely full of sass!
Lily loves meeting visitors to the Centre and she regularly takes part in the flying displays – often sitting on benches by the spectators!
Lily always has a good look around her when she is outside – she’s very aware that her size can make her a target for the wild birds of prey that live in the Garden!
Little Owl Facts
Athene noctua
Territory/Location
Temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and North Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the nineteenth century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early twentieth century.
Habitat
Farmland, woodland fringes, steppes and semi-deserts.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Diet
Insects, earthworms, other invertebrates and small vertebrates.
Life Expectancy
Up to 16 Years
Average 3 Years
Nesting
Cavity nester and a clutch of about four eggs is laid in spring. The female does the incubation and the male brings food to the nest, first for the female and later for the newly hatched young. As the chicks grow, both parents hunt and bring them food, and the chicks leave the nest at about seven weeks of age.
Scientific
Classification
KINGDOM
Animalia
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Strigiformes
FAMILY
Strigidae
GENUS
Athene
SPECIES
a.noctua
Did you know?
The little owl is partly diurnal and often perches boldly and prominently during the day. If living in an area with a large amount of human activity, little owls may grow used to humans and will remain on their perch, often in full view, while people are around.
