Little Owl Athene noctua. It is a small, stocky, 'hard' looking owl. During the day, it often sits upright on tree branches, poles, barn roofs or on piles of stones and soil. Its flight is low, fast and undulating. Before landing, it inclines upwards, spreads its wide and rounded wings and slows down. It is distinguished from other owls by being relatively easy to see during the day. Although the little owl is active at night, it is not entirely nocturnal. The little owl, which is also quite active during the day, can be seen perched on telephone poles, fences, roofs and chimneys during the day. When approached, it shakes its head up and down nervously and anxiously. A different hunting behavior has been recorded. It leaves the small mammals it hunts to rot next to the nest area and waits for insects and other creatures to swarm around this carcass.
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