247
HABITS OF THE LITTLE OWL IN ESSEX.
By GEOFFREY DENT.
THE exhaustive enquiry that was made into the feeding-
habits of the Little Owl (Athene noctua mira) by Miss
Hibbert-Ware and others resulted in the conclusion that this
bird was harmless and indeed mainly beneficial. From my own
observations in the district around Parndon I am unable to
endorse that conclusion.
I have personally witnessed the taking of birds by Little
Owls on many occasions in broad daylight: the species I have
seen captured have been Blackbirds, Thrushes, Missel Thrushes,
Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, young domestic chicks and, two
years ago, two fully feathered young Stock Doves in their nesting-
hole.
Only this year a nest of fully fledged. Thrushes were all killed.
in my garden by a Little Owl : the bird was observed tearing off
their heads and carrying off their bodies. Although stoned at
close quarters and driven off, the Little Owl returned almost
immediately and carried off the last fledgling.
I believe the findings of the official enquiry were based
largely on the examination of pellets. Now, unlike the larger
owls, the Little Owl cannot swallow birds and mice whole. It
tears them up and eats only the soft parts: consequently,
feathers, fur and bones are not, as a rule, to be found in the
pellets.
I have generally found that the victims are not taken to the
nesting-hole, but to a larder tree near by. where no doubt they are
dismembered and suitable portions brought to the young.
That a vast number of insects is taken by this species I am well
aware, but I know that the toll of birds is also very heavy. We
can doubtless spare some blackbirds and thrushes, but I am
convinced that a far worse crime must be laid at the door of this
rather attractive little foreign invader.
It is significant that the decrease which has been noticed in
the numbers of the Barn Owl dates from the arrival in this
country of the Little Owl and is inversely proportional to the
increase of the latter. In those few parts of England and Scotland
where the Little Owl has not penetrated, or until recently had
B