little owl

little owl, (Athene noctua), Old World burrowing owl about 20 cm (about 8 inches) long, belonging to the owl family Strigidae (order Strigiformes). Little owls occur in Europe, central Asia, and northern Africa and have been introduced into New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They are active during the day and often perch in the open. They usually nest in buildings or natural holes in savannas, grasslands, cliffs, and gorges. Little owls eat insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Little owls are year-round residents of their habitats and may live as long as 15 or 16 years.

Little owls were prominent symbols in various Old World civilizations. The bird is associated with Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom (and Minerva, the Roman goddess of handicrafts, the professions, and the arts), and, thus, it has been viewed as a symbol of wisdom and intelligence in Western traditions. Representations of little owls also appear in literature, on ancient Athenian tetradrachms and other coins and paper currency, and in works of art dating as far back as 10,000 years ago.