Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

These sparrow sized owls are listed as “endangered” in California. It is believed that the Lower Colorado River is the limit of their range in California.

Pin It — **Elf Owl**
*(Micrathene whitneyi)*

**Description:**
Young owl in the nest hole, which was escavated by Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers. Elf Owls are the world's smallest owl by weight. These birds are strictly nocturnal and normally found from southern Arizona, south into Mexico. Finding these birds here establishes a record for California. Seen in Riverside County California.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2017:06:18 18:44

**Location:**

Cottonwood Spring
Joshua Tree National Park, California
United States
2962.74 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** ElfOwl_D5X6207

© 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging

Tweet

Click map markers to reveal further information

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Young owl in the nest hole, which was escavated by Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers. Elf Owls are the world's smallest owl by weight. These birds are strictly nocturnal and normally found from southern Arizona, south into Mexico. Finding these birds here establishes a record for California. Seen in Riverside County California.

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Parent bird bringing invertebrate prey to its young. Elf Owls are the world's smallest owl by weight. These birds are strictly nocturnal and normally found from southern Arizona, south into Mexico. Finding these birds here establishes a record for California. Seen in Riverside County California.

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

Elf Owls are the world's smallest owl by weight. These birds are strictly nocturnal and normally found from southern Arizona, south into Mexico. Finding these birds here establishes a record for California. Seen in Joshua Tree National Park. Riverside County California.