The Little Owl is a small, charismatic owl often seen perched during daylight, scanning its surroundings with striking yellow eyes.
The Little Owl (Athene noctua) plays an important ecological role in nature as both a predator and a prey species. By feeding on insects, small rodents, and reptiles, it helps control pest populations, maintaining a healthy balance in the ecosystem. Its presence also indicates biodiversity and ecosystem stability, especially in arid and agricultural landscapes. As part of the food chain, it also serves as prey for larger raptors, contributing to the natural cycle of life. Protecting this small but resilient owl supports the overall health of its habitat.
The Little Owl (Athene noctua) thrives in a variety of open and semi-open habitats. It favors arid and semi-arid environments such as rocky outcrops, desert edges, dry farmlands, old ruins, and palm groves. It often nests in tree cavities, rocky crevices, walls, or abandoned buildings, and prefers areas with sparse vegetation where it can easily hunt insects, small mammals, and reptiles. In the UAE, it's typically found in mountainous zones, semi-desert plains, and agricultural outskirts where perches and shelter are available.
