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

See Examples For:

little owl

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

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

The little owl preys mainly on insects and earthworms and can often be found perched on prominent places, such as telegraph poles and fenceposts as well as mature parkland trees.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 2, 2010

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