Micrathene whitneyi

Information about the Elf Owl:

The Elf Owl is a small owl native to the the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is the world's lightest owl, although the Long-whiskered Owlet and the Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl are of a similarly diminutive length. The body weight of this species is 1.4 ounce (40 grams). As the name implies, these owls are very small - only 4.9-5.7 inches (12.5 to 14.5 cm) long. Their wingspan is about 10.5 inches wide (27 cm.)They have fairly long legs and often appear bow-legged. They can often be heard calling to one another just after dusk or at sunset. Their call is a high-pitched whinny or chuckle. The male and female dart around trees and call back and forth. The Elf Owl migrates to Arizona and New Mexico in the spring and summer. In the winter, it is found in central and southern Mexico. Migrant Elf Owls return north in mid-August or early May. They live in cacti much like other desert birds, using the shade and climate the tree provides. Elf Owls usually are not aggressive and feign death in any dangerous situation, especially when a threatening animal comes inside their Saguaro cactus. The poster is printed on matte, museum-quality paper with Giclée printing quality: • Paper thickness: 10.3 mil • Paper weight: 5.6 oz/y² (192 g/m²) • Opacity: 94% Buy a Digital Download