Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)
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About Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi)
- Kingdom: Animals
- Phylum: Chordates
- Class: Birds
- Order: Owls And Nightjars
- Family: Typical Owls
The elf owl is a small grayish-brown owl about the size of a sparrow found in the Southwestern United States, central Mexico, and the Baja California peninsula. It has pale yellow eyes highlighted by thin white "eyebrows" and a gray bill with a horn-colored tip. The elf owl frequently inhabits woodpecker holes in saguaro cacti; it also nests in natural tree cavities. It is nocturnal and feeds primarily on insects.