Little Owl

The little owl is a compact, cryptically coloured owl approximately 22cm long. Adults are brown above with white spotting and whitish below with brown streaking; yellow eyes, white eyebrow marks, a large head and relatively long legs create a stern-looking face. Juveniles are duller and lack the adult's white crown spots. The species has a bounding, woodpecker-like flight and gives a querulous repeated call, supplemented around the nest by whistles, trills, barks and chattering sounds. (Wikipedia, little owl account)

Across its range the little owl occupies farmland, woodland fringes, steppes and semi-deserts, sometimes entering villages and suburbs. It is mainly nocturnal and eats insects, earthworms, other invertebrates and small vertebrates. Males defend territories. The owl nests in cavities and lays about four eggs in spring; the female incubates while the male initially supplies food, and both parents hunt as the young grow. Chicks leave the nest when roughly seven weeks old. (Wikipedia, little owl account)