Elf Owl

desert · tiny owl · insect hunter · nocturnal

Smaller than a sparrow. The elf owl is one of the smallest owls in North America, about the size of a sparrow. You could hold one in the palm of your hand.

Striking pale eyes. This little owl has pale yellow eyes framed by thin white marks that look just like eyebrows. Its gray bill has a neat horn-colored tip that makes it look extra dapper.

Lives in cacti homes. Elf owls love to nest in holes made by woodpeckers in tall saguaro cacti, though they also use natural tree cavities. This desert hideaway keeps them safe from predators.

Hunts after dark. Elf owls are strictly nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and hunt all night long. They feast on insects like beetles, crickets, and moths.

Desert dweller. You can find elf owls in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula, where the desert heat and saguaro cacti create the perfect home.