little owl

American  

Also owlet

noun

1. a small, European owl, Athene noctua, often portrayed in art with the goddess Athena.

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little owl British  

noun

1. a small Old World owl, Athene noctua, having a speckled brown plumage and flattish head

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Etymology

Origin of little owl

First recorded in 1550–60

Example Sentences

This delightful Christmas tale is the true story of a little owl dubbed Rockefeller.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2021

"She gave me a little owl, still in my possession, and some good advice."

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2021

Best animal appearances The little owl with an unusually mobile neck in A Lullaby for the Sorrowful Mystery.

From The Guardian • Feb. 21, 2016

Don’t let its cuteness fool you: the little owl from this viral video is actually a fearsome, rodent-eating predator.

From National Geographic • Jul. 27, 2015

Not knowing any better, police officers had led her out of the crowd toward Mullet Fingers, spooking the bold little owl away from the boy.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen