At dusk, on a poster of any rural road, we can observe the rounded silhouette of the little Owl of Athena, its roundness can even be comical. Although it is an animal with nocturnal habits, it can also be observed during the day, but its way of flying and its flight path change according to the time, and it becomes more wavy when it is there is light.
This small nocturnal raptor is one of the most fertile birds in Europe, it is not considered threatened, although it is frequently the victim of road accidents.In this PlanetAnimal file, we tell you everything about the Owl of Athena or the Little Owl, a raptor characteristic of the Mediterranean region.
Origin
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
Origin of the Owl of Athena
This little owl is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Their populations are widespread, avoiding mountainous areas and places that are too cold. The scientific name of this bird, Athene noctua, in relation to the goddess Athena, although it has always been linked to owls, it is the owl that is associated with this goddess.
Characteristics of the Owl of Athena
Athena's Little Owl or little owl is a small nocturnal bird of prey, stocky looking and resembling a small ball. This is its main characteristic, in addition to its round head without plumes, as owls usually have.
" Its plumage is greyish brown, with strong white marbling. The belly area is lighter, but also mottled. She has white eyebrows highlighting her large yellow eyes. The beak is small. With the wings spread, the owl can reach 54 centimeters, for a height of only 23 centimeters. Its legs are feathered except for the claws."
Athena's Owl Habitat
This little owl is not very demanding when it comes to the choice of its habitat, although it prefers semi-wooded areas, such as meadows or olive groves. It does not like very thick forests and it is common to observe it near human sites, it can even nest in urban and suburban parks.
Also, it can live in semi-desert areas, fields and orchards. It is rarely seen in mountainous regions.
Feeding the Owl of Athena
The Owl's diet is varied and will depend on the area it lives in and the type of food available. It has been found that the further north they live, the more their diet is based on vertebrates, especially rodents. Likewise, like further south, invertebrates, such as insects and worms, are their main course. It is therefore a carnivorous animal.
The little owl has two ways of feeding, perched on a “perch” or perch, tall tree or trunk, from where it watches its prey and then swoops down on it.
Reproduction of the Owl of Athena
The breeding season of this animal begins in spring, at the end of March, when hearing its particular song which recalls the plaintive mewing of a cat, and ends in April, when the female lays her eggs. Owls, when they find a mate, keep it for life, just like their territory.These birds do not build nests, as they take advantage of natural holes in trees or appropriate the abandoned nests of other birds.
The male does not participate in the incubation of the eggs, only the female, who will be fed by the male during this process. When the eggs hatch, both parents feed the chicks for about a month, by which time the chicks are strong enough to fly, although their parents will need to continue feeding them.
Pictures of Little Owl or Little Owl
