Species profile
About this species
The Little Owl is a small, compact owl native to Europe, Asia & North Africa, standing around 21-23 cm tall. It has a rounded head with bright yellow eyes & a stern expression, with brown upperparts spotted & streaked with white. Despite its name suggesting nocturnal habits, the Little Owl is frequently active during daylight hours, often perching prominently on fence posts, rocks & telegraph poles.
Little Owls favour open & semi-open countryside including farmland, orchards, parkland, hedgerows & rough grassland. They are often associated with old farm buildings, ruined walls & hollow trees which provide ideal nesting & roosting sites.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Little Owl with us in Hungary.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Dawn & dusk during spring & summer offer the best opportunities, as Little Owls are most active at these times & the warm golden light enhances the rich brown tones of their plumage. Late spring is particularly rewarding when adults are busy feeding young & make frequent visible sorties.
Position yourself low to the ground to achieve eye-level shots, which create a far more engaging & intimate perspective. Scout fence posts, old stone walls & farm buildings in rural areas where Little Owls are known to perch regularly, then wait patiently at a respectful distance using a long telephoto lens of at least 400mm. Use a hide or your vehicle as a mobile hide to reduce disturbance & allow the owl to behave naturally in front of the camera.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Little Owl
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.