The Elf Owl (micrathene whitneyi) is nocturnal, though they are most active at dusk and dawn. Elf Owls have weak talons, so they hunt arthropods and larvae instead of more traditional prey. They are very maneuverable in flight and often catch their insects midair. Elf Owls are also known for snatching bugs off of tree branches or as the bugs are about to take flight.

Elf Owls are very vocal birds and are often found in chaparral (a Baja shrub). When breeding, they only nest in woodpecker holes made in cacti or trees. Around April, Elf Owls lay 1-5 eggs, and incubation begins around egg 2. The female will hunt around dusk while the male incubates, but the male hunts the rest of the time. During peak hunting, the male may bring food to the nest as much as once per minute. Elf Owls are monogamous and remain mostly in pair except for migration, when they fly in groups.

Elf Owls are found all throughout the desert parts of Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Baja peninsula. They migrate to the north part of their range for breeding, and the south west along the pacific coast in nonbreeding. Elf Owls can be found year around on the southern part of the Baja peninsula, the overlap spot of breeding and nonbreeding, and the southernmost tip of their range.

Fun Facts:

- The Elf Owl is the smallest owl in the world and one of the lightest

- Elf Owls have the highest rate of any North American owl of raising clutches (70%). This is because their nests are hard to reach, especially the ones in cacti.