Little Owl

The Little Owl (Athene noctua) is approximately 22 cm from beak to point. The population consists of approximately 9,500 breeding pairs in the Netherlands. The habitat of the Little Owl consists mainly of open terrain with low vegetation and sufficient hiding places. Little Owls like to stay around detached farms with a messy yard or garden with sufficient hiding places in the form of old sheds, hutches and old trees. Little Owls make grateful use of nest boxes because many natural breeding places have disappeared due to the removal of hollow trees and old dilapidated sheds.

Wood type: solid oak (16mm).

Lifespan: approx. 15 years.

Weight: approx. 14 kg.

Dimensions: length 73 cm, height 25 cm, width 32 cm.

Roof: finished with high-quality bitumen roofing felt, which guarantees a longer lifespan.

Maintenance: in principle the cabinet does not require any maintenance and therefore does not need to be painted or stained. In fact, the cabinet only needs to be cleaned over time.
but more beautiful because the wood turns grey and blends in with nature.

Check box: Little Owls breed in late April/early May. It is recommended to check the box for brood in late May. I also recommend inspecting the box in September and removing some of the nesting material. This is because Little Owls pack the box very 'full' with nesting material and there is ultimately insufficient space left inside.

Hanging: this is easy to achieve with the mounted robust oak back slat. The holes in the back slat are pre-drilled. Matching nails are included. If you would like us to install the cabinet, we will be happy to do so. We can also provide a custom solution for you if required. For more information, please contact us.

Nesting material: do not place nesting material on the ground, pellets usually provide an excellent surface for breeding.

Hanging location: a free-standing tree or a wooded bank with an unobstructed view is ideal. Little owls are not shy, so a location in a quiet spot at a distance of 25 metres from the house is often no problem. A height of at least 2.5 metres is recommended, often just above the first branch if it is a fruit tree, for example. The box can also be hung on the facade of a barn, stable or animal shelter. Do not hang the box above a ditch, pond or water trough for cattle because young little owls leave the nest early and cannot fly yet and end up in the water and drown. If there are young, it is advisable to place a pallet or pile of branches under the tree so that the young can hide. Only after a few days, when they have left the nest, do they climb up. Until then, shelter, artificial or otherwise, is necessary.

Other inhabitants: Starling / tits.

It is advisable to contact us so that we can guide you to the right box and the right hanging location. We can look with you and give sound advice using Google maps. We also have the necessary map material of owls in your area.