Elf Owl Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesElf Owl
Adult
Tiny owl without ear tufts. Note yellow eyes with white eyebrow markings and diffuse brown-gray streaks on underparts.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 11, 2020Adult
Tiny, short-tailed owl that lacks ear tufts. Spotted and speckled with gray, rufous, brown, and white. Rows of white-tipped scapular and covert feathers create two white stripes on the upperparts.
© Matthew Grube / Macaulay LibraryCaliforniaTiny owl without ear tufts; nests in abandoned woodpecker holes. Note yellow eyes and light eyebrow markings.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 01, 1998Not all videos have sound
Adult
Tiny owl with yellow eyes and no ear tufts. Face is warm brown with white eyebrow stripes.
© Jenohn Wrieden / Macaulay LibraryArizona, September 23, 2019Adult
Individuals can range from grayish overall to warmer cinnamon or rufous. Note short tail.
© Jason Vassallo / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 03, 2016Call is a series of high-pitched yapping notes, reminiscent of a puppy.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 18, 2006Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are grayer than adults, with little buff or brown coloration. Light eyebrow stripes, yellow eyes, short tail, and small size are distinctive.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, August 27, 2016Adult
Nests in abandoned woodpecker holes in giant cactus as well as a variety of trees.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 19, 2017Hunts at night; eats mostly insects.
© Larry Arbanas / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 18, 2006Not all videos have sound
Tiny owl without ear tufts and with yellow eyes. Call is a series of high-pitched yapping notes.
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 01, 1993Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesWestern Screech-Owl
Adult
Western Screech-Owls are larger than Elf Owls and they have ear tufts. They lack the Elf Owl's white eyebrow markings, and the barring on their underparts is more precise and sharp than the Elf Owl's blurry markings.
© Matthew Grube / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 25, 2017Similar SpeciesNorthern Pygmy-Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owls (and other pygmy-owl species) have longer tails than Elf Owls (extending beyond the wings when perched) and are typically active during the day. They have neater, more distinct streaks on the underparts compared to Elf Owl's blurry streaking.
© Blair Dudeck / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, April 17, 2020Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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