Elf owl (Micrathene whitene), Strigiformes (baykuşlar) takımı içinde Strigidae familyasına ait, Kuzey Amerika'nın güneybatısı ile Meksika'nın kuzey ve orta kesimlerinde dağılım gösteren, dünyanın en küçük baykuş türüdür. Cins adı olan Micrathene, Yunanca “küçük baykuş” anlamına gelir. Tür adı olan whitneyi, ilk birey örneğini toplayan Josiah Dwight Whitney'e atfen verilmiştir; bilimsel tanımı ise 1861 yılında James G. Cooper tarafından yapılmıştır.
Physical Properties
Adult elf owls are 12.5-14.5 cm long and weigh 35-55 grams. Their wingspan is about 27 cm. These measurements make it one of the smallest raptor species in the world and the smallest owl species. One of its most physically striking features is the absence of ear tufts, which are found on most owl species; its head is round and smooth. The eyes are large and yellow in color, with prominent white eyebrow-like markings above the eyes. The beak is relatively small and greenish yellow.
The plumage is usually grayish brown with blurred stripes on the underside. On the upper parts, there are white spots on the wing margins and white-tipped stripes on the shoulder feathers, which form two white lines when the wing is closed. There is no obvious physical difference between the sexes (sexual dimorphism), but females are usually slightly heavier than males. Young individuals are more grayish in color than adults and the markings on their breasts are less pronounced. Their legs are relatively long and strong, which helps them climb vertical surfaces.
Elf Owl (Flickr)
Habitat and Distribution
Micrathene whitneyi breeds in areas such as Arizona, New Mexico and southern Texas, and spends the winter months migrating to southern Mexico. Some populations in Baja California and in the interior of Mexico are sedentary. Their preferred habitats are usually semi-arid desert areas, areas with cacti such as saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), and riparian forests. According to studies, 92% of individuals prefer scrub habitats and 8% prefer riparian forests. They usually build their nests in hollows abandoned by woodpeckers or in cactus hollows. The nest can be 3-15 meters above the ground. No material is carried into the nest; eggs are laid directly on the cavity floor.
Behavior and Ecology
Elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi) are nocturnal small raptors with a nocturnal lifestyle, characterized by silent flight and environmental concealment. They are usually active during twilight and nighttime hours, while during the day they rest in nest cavities or under dense vegetation, remaining motionless.
Studies show that elf owls have a fairly small home range. The average individual home range is about 1.05 hectares, making them one of the species with the smallest home ranges in the order Strigiformes. This, combined with the high population density, suggests a frequent distribution pattern within suitable habitats. In comparison, species such as the Flammulated Owl, which inhabit similar habitats, exceed 14 hectares.
They are particularly active in the hours just after sunset and before midnight. During these times, hunting and territorial defense behaviors intensify. Males make vocal calls during the breeding season to defend territorial boundaries and attract mates; these calls are typically monotone, slow-paced and rhythmically repeated.
One of their remarkable defensive strategies in the face of danger is a death mimicry behavior known as "catalepsy". In this state, the individual freezes, closes its eyes or tilts its head to the side and does not move. This reflex is thought to be an evolved defense mechanism to avoid predators.
Migration and Home Range
Populations in the USA are migratory and migrate to Mexico in winter. Populations in southern Mexico and Baja California are year-round residents. The average home range was measured as 1.05 hectares in a study conducted in Santa Ana National Refuge; population density was found to be up to 802 individuals/km².
Nutrition
The Elf owl is a carnivore that feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates. Most of their diet consists of nocturnal arthropods such as moths, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, centipedes and scorpions. Occasionally they may also prey on small vertebrates such as small lizards or rodents. When they hunt scorpions, they are known to carefully remove their venomous stingers before eating them.
Hunting activities are usually concentrated at dusk (both at dawn and after dusk) and throughout the night. Their hunting strategies are varied; they usually observe their surroundings from a perch, and when they spot prey, they make a sudden dive to snatch it from the ground or vegetation. They may also leap from their perches to hunt for flying insects in the air, or crawl through vegetation to collect insects from leaves.
Elf Owl in a Tree Hollow (Flickr)
Reproduction
The Elf owl (Micrathene whitneyi) enters its breeding season in the spring, after returning to breeding habitat from wintering grounds. Populations in the US usually begin mating and nesting between late March and early May. During the breeding period, males display vocal behaviors to both attract mates and defend territory with loud calls around the nest site. These calls are monotone, slow-paced and repetitive. Males may also engage in "pointing" behavior to show females suitable nest cavities. Nest selection is usually done by the female, with preference given to abandoned woodpecker burrows or natural cavities in large cacti (Carnegiea gigantea).
The female lays 1 to 5 (usually 3) white eggs directly in the nest cavity. No building material is placed inside the nest; the eggs are placed directly on the floor of the cavity. The incubation period is about 24 days and is carried out only by the female. During this period, the male regularly brings prey and provides food for the female and the young.
The young are born with their eyes closed and hairless. They are completely dependent on the female for the first two weeks, during which time they are warmed and protected. As the chicks grow, the female leaves the nest more frequently and starts to hunt. After about 27-28 days, the young leave the nest (fledge). However, they continue to be fed and guided by the parents for several days after leaving the nest.
The survival rate per brood can vary depending on habitat quality and prey abundance. Nest success rates are high in years with sufficient insect populations. In the natural environment, the life span of elf owls varies between 3 and 6 years on average. They have been observed to live longer in captivity.
Conservation Status
Globally, the Elf owl is classified as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This classification is based on the fact that the species has a wide distribution and its global population is not yet estimated to be in serious decline.
Elf owls are protected in special habitats in some regions (e.g. the states of Arizona and Texas in the USA). Saguaro National Park and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge are working to monitor their populations and protect their habitat.
According to IUCN data, the global population size has not yet been quantified, but the trend is considered "stable". However, climate change and long-term deterioration in habitat quality are considered potential risk factors that could affect the future status of the species.
