Eurasian Pygmy Owl

The Eurasian pygmy owl is the smallest owl in Europe, dark reddish to greyish-brown with dots on its back and spotted sides. The tail is generally darker than the body with five narrow whitish bars. It has a small, short head with white to grey eyebrows and yellow eyes, and it lacks the ear tufts of many owls. A white half-collar marks the back of the neck, the belly is mostly white with brown speckles, and the beak is greyish-yellow and hook-shaped. It has disproportionately large feet, which let it carry larger vertebrate prey. (Wikipedia, general species account)

This species is found in the boreal forests of Northern and Central Europe to Siberia. It is sedentary, meaning adults are resident throughout the year, though they may move south during harsh winters, and young birds usually move in autumn or winter. (Wikipedia, general species account)