Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi · Species of owl
Family
Order
Strigiformes
Codes
elfowl, ELOW

About the Elf Owl

The elf owl is a small grayish-brown owl about the size of a sparrow found in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula. It has pale yellow eyes highlighted by thin white "eyebrows" and a gray bill with a horn-colored tip. The elf owl frequently inhabits woodpecker holes in saguaro cacti; it also nests in natural tree cavities. It is nocturnal and feeds primarily on insects.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyOwls (Strigidae)
SpeciesMicrathene whitneyi
Species Codeselfowl, ELOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Elf Owl belong to?

The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) belongs to the Owls family (Strigidae), in the order Strigiformes.

How can I identify the Elf Owl?

The elf owl is a small grayish-brown owl about the size of a sparrow found in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula. It has pale yellow eyes highlighted by thin white \"eyebrows\" and a gray bill with a horn-colored tip. The elf owl frequently inhabits woodp...

Where can I report a Elf Owl sighting?

You can log sightings of Elf Owl on eBird (ebird.org) using species code elfowl, or on iNaturalist.