elf owl

elf owl
a small, insectivorous owl, Micrathene whitneyi, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
[1885-90, Amer.]

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bird
 (Micrathene whitneyi), tiny bird of prey of the family Strigidae (order Strigiformes) of Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is the smallest owl and is about the size of a sparrow. In the cactus deserts, elf owls are among the most common birds, but they also inhabit forested areas, dry grasslands, and wet savanna. They nest in holes in cacti or trees and hunt insects at night. Elf owls have round heads, which are large in proportion to the body, and big yellow eyes.

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  • Elf Owl — Conservation status Least Concern (I …   Wikipedia

  • Elf owl — Elf Elf ([e^]lf), n.; pl. {Elves} ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. {Auf}, {Oaf}.] 1. An imaginary supernatural being …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elf owl — noun : a very small insectivorous owl (Micropallas whitneyi) living in or about the giant cacti of desert areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico * * * a small, insectivorous owl, Micrathene whitneyi, of the southwestern U.S.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • elf owl — kaktusinė pelėda statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Glaucidium whitneyi; Micrathene whitneyi angl. elf owl vok. Elfenkauz, m rus. кактусовый сыч, m; сыч эльф, m pranc. chevêchette des saguaros, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • elf owl — kaktusinės pelėdos statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Micrathene angl. elf owl vok. Elfenkauz, m; Kaktuskauz, m rus. кактусовый сыч, m; сыч эльф, m pranc. chevêchette elfe, f ryšiai: platesnis terminas – raibosios pelėdos… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • elf owl — noun Date: 1887 a very small insectivorous owl (Micrathene whitneyi) of the southwestern United States and Mexico that roosts and nests in the cavities of trees and saguaro cacti …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Elf — ([e^]lf), n.; pl. {Elves} ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. {Auf}, {Oaf}.] 1. An imaginary supernatural being,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Elf arrow — Elf Elf ([e^]lf), n.; pl. {Elves} ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. {Auf}, {Oaf}.] 1. An imaginary supernatural being …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elf bolt — Elf Elf ([e^]lf), n.; pl. {Elves} ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. {Auf}, {Oaf}.] 1. An imaginary supernatural being …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Elf child — Elf Elf ([e^]lf), n.; pl. {Elves} ([e^]lvz). [AS. [ae]lf, ylf; akin to MHG. alp, G. alp nightmare, incubus, Icel. [=a]lfr elf, Sw. alf, elfva; cf. Skr. [.r]bhu skillful, artful, rabh to grasp. Cf. {Auf}, {Oaf}.] 1. An imaginary supernatural being …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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