Common name: Little Owl
Scientific name: Athene noctua
Family: Strigidae

Size:
Body length: 21–23 cm
Wingspan: 54–58 cm
Weight: 150–220 g

Identification:
A small, compact owl with a flat-topped head and a short tail. It has bright yellow eyes set in a pale face with bold white “eyebrows,” giving it a stern expression. The plumage is brown with white spotting on the upperparts and streaked underparts. Often seen upright on perches, especially during the day.

Habitat:
Open countryside, farmland, rocky areas, ruins, villages, and semi-arid landscapes. Often associated with human-modified environments.

Status in the UAE:
Local resident. Present in suitable habitats, particularly in rocky and semi-arid regions.

Status in Lebanon:
Common resident. Widespread across open habitats and rural areas.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Behavior:
Partly diurnal and often active at dawn and dusk. Frequently seen perched on stones, posts, or ruins. Hunts by dropping onto prey from a perch. Territorial and vocal, especially during breeding season. Nests in cavities, including walls and rock crevices.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)