The world of owls, belonging to the order Strigiformes, encompasses a wide spectrum of sizes. Determining the absolute smallest owl requires careful consideration of different measurements, such as length and weight, as various species vie for this title. The search for the definitive smallest owl focuses on a specific North American species whose miniature stature challenges the typical perception of a raptor.
Identifying the Smallest Owl
The smallest owl species in the world is the Elf Owl, scientifically known as Micrathene whitneyi. This tiny raptor is comparable in size to a common sparrow, making it both the smallest owl and the smallest bird of prey globally. The classification as the smallest is generally determined by body mass, where the Elf Owl holds a clear advantage over other small contenders. An average adult Elf Owl weighs approximately 40 grams (1.4 ounces), with some individuals weighing as little as 35 grams.
In terms of linear measurement, the Elf Owl stands only 12.5 to 14.5 centimeters (4.9 to 5.7 inches) in total length. Its wingspan averages around 27 centimeters (10.5 inches). The Elf Owl lacks the prominent ear tufts seen on many other owl species and has relatively long legs, sometimes giving it a bow-legged appearance.
Range and Survival Habits
The Elf Owl inhabits the arid and semi-arid regions of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Its breeding range extends across southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, reaching into northern and central Mexico. Most northern populations migrate south to central and southern Mexico for the winter, typically returning north in mid-April.
These birds prefer habitats characterized by desert scrub, thorn forests, and riparian areas, especially those containing large trees or saguaro cacti. They are obligate cavity nesters, relying entirely on holes excavated by other birds, such as woodpeckers, for their nests and roost sites. In the Sonoran Desert, they frequently utilize abandoned cavities in the tall, column-like saguaro cacti, which offer both protection and insulation.
The Elf Owl is a nocturnal hunter, becoming most active around dusk and dawn. Its diet consists almost entirely of insects and small invertebrates, including moths, beetles, crickets, and scorpions. The diminutive size of the owl necessitates a focus on smaller prey, which it captures by swooping from a perch or occasionally hovering.
The World of Miniature Owls
While the Elf Owl is established as the smallest by weight, other species are close contenders in length, leading to occasional confusion. The overall smallest distinction relies on a combination of both length and mass.
For instance, the Long-whiskered Owlet (Xenoglaux loweryi) and the Tamaulipas Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium sanchezi) are similarly small in length, sometimes measuring only slightly longer than the Elf Owl. However, both of these species typically exhibit a slightly greater average body mass, often weighing 46 to 51 grams, compared to the Elf Owl’s 40 grams.
Pygmy Owls are also frequently mentioned in discussions about the smallest owls. While some individual Pygmy Owls may be as short as the Elf Owl, their average weights are generally higher, solidifying the Elf Owl’s position as the lightest and most diminutive species overall. These other miniature owls are distributed across various parts of the world, including South America and other regions of Mexico, distinguishing their range from the Elf Owl’s primary habitat in the southwestern United States.