The Elf Owl of the southwestern United States and Mexico is the world's smallest owl. Although people often think of Elf Owls peering out of a hole in a saguaro cactus, Elf Owls are found in highest concentration in subtropical thorn woodlands dominated by plants such as mesquite and acacia. They also breed in desert washes, riparian woodlands, and higher-elevation evergreen forests.

The nests of Elf Owls are holes excavated by woodpeckers, including Ladder-backed, Golden-fronted, Acorn, Gila, and Arizona woodpeckers, and Gilded Flickers. These holes may be in a variety of plants, including saguaro and other cacti, sycamores, cottonwoods, mesquite, oaks, and agave. Elf Owls also nest in holes in utility poles and fences, and will settle in nest boxes. When multiple holes are available, Elf Owls sometimes nest in the same cactus or tree with other cavity-nesters such as woodpeckers and songbirds.

In the United States, Elf Owls breed in three populations in the Lower Colorado River Valley, Big Bend region of Texas, and Rio Grande Valley. Three populations are found in Baja California and Puebla, Mexico. The Mexican populations are resident year-round. Migratory Elf Owls occupy breeding habitat generally from about March until October, and winter in southern Mexico. Little is known about the winter range of migrants or about interactions between resident and migrant Elf Owls in Mexico during winter.

During the breeding season the male Elf Owl utters a high-pitched series of yips that resemble the sound of a barking dog. He leads the female to potential nest holes and offers her food. She usually lays three eggs, but the number varies between one and five. The male brings food to the female while she incubates the eggs for about 24 days. He continues bringing food after the young have hatched. The female begins to hunt for the young after they are two to three weeks old. The young fledge when they are about 28 to 33 days old. Elf Owls eat primarily insects, especially moths, beetles, and crickets. They sometimes forage at lights that attract flying insects during the night.

The Elf Owl is listed as Endangered in California and is on the National Audubon Society's WatchList as a species in need of conservation attention. Conservation efforts include captive breeding of Elf Owls from Arizona and reintroduction to California, habitat restoration along the Colorado River, and establishment of nest boxes in Texas.

Description:

Elf Owls are tiny nocturnal owls, only about 5 inches in length. Elf Owls have untufted heads and yellow eyes with conspicuous white markings nearly forming a "V" above and between the eyes. Adults are grayish brown, with gray speckling on the back and vertical brownish streaking on the underparts. There are two rows of white spots along the wing. Females are slightly larger than males, but otherwise sexes are similar. The Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) is slightly larger than an Elf Owl, has brown eyes, and hoots rather than yips. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) and Northern Pygmy-Owl (G. gnoma) have longer tails, whitish underparts with bold brown or blackish streaks, black spots on the back of the neck, and calls that sound more like whistles.

Recording credits:
Elf Owl recorded by Geoffrey A. Keller and can be found on Bird Songs of Southeastern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.

Copyright© 2000 Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology