What do they eat? Their diet consists mainly of insects, with crickets, beetles, grasshoppers and worms providing most of their sustenance. However, they have also been known to eat small mammals and even small birds during nesting season!
Are they nocturnal? They are most active at dawn and dusk, but they can be spotted during the day as they enjoy watching the world go by from great heights, perched on a dead tree or telegraph pole.
Where do they nest? Little owls are cavity nesters, so will usually look for suitably sized holes, like tree holes or even rabbit holes to nest in. However, they also enjoy man-made nest boxes and will return to the same nesting site every year!
How do their eggs hatch? Female little owls usually lay around 4 eggs at the end of April and incubation takes a month. The babies fledge after 5-6 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for at least another couple.
Where can they be found? Little owls were introduced across the UK in the 1800's and spread across England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. However, they have been declining since and can no longer be found in Ireland or most parts of Scotland. Ideally, they prefer farmland but they can be found across a range of habitats.