Little owls

Little owls are the UK’s smallest owls. An adult measures just 20cm when standing and the chicks weigh just 10gs – they really are tiny balls of fluff! Not strictly a native species, these owls were introduced here in the 19th century. This is a bespoke nest, made especially to attract little owls and fitted with a camera so that I can follow their day-to-day lives.

Little owl chicks

The hatching was filmed over the course of one day, if you notice the chicks’ eyes are yet to open. The first chick had hatched during the night and the second two followed within hours of one another.

Egg tooth

If you look closely you can see the first chick’s egg tooth, a white, sharp projection on the tip of its beak used to break the egg from the inside during hatching.

Little owl diet

You might also notice tiny fragments of beetle wing on the chick’s down. Little owls mainly eat insects and possibly mum has dropped a bit on her chick.  These owls also eat small rodents. Watch the male bring a mouse in to the nest shortly before the second chick hatches – and notice how rudely the female snatches it from him.

Cross faces

Little owls have large, pronounced feathers over their eyes that make them look as though they are permanently frowning! So perhaps she only looked like she was being rude?