Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include species like eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures. They are carnivorous birds that hunt and feed on small animals like rodents, insects, fish, and other birds. While some raptors like eagles and vultures can grow quite large, reaching wingspans of over 7 feet, others are surprisingly small and compact. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s smallest birds of prey.
Pygmy Falcon
The Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is considered the smallest species of falcon in the world. It is a tiny but fierce predator that inhabits Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The Pygmy Falcon measures just 20-24cm in length and weighs a mere 35-50g. That’s about the same size as a sparrow! Despite its miniature size, the Pygmy Falcon is an effective hunter of small birds, bats, lizards, and large insects.
The Pygmy Falcon is strikingly patterned with reddish-brown upperparts, a white throat, black facial markings, and faint barring on the breast. It has pointed wings and a relatively long, square-tipped tail. As its name suggests, the Pygmy Falcon is distinctly smaller and more delicate than other falcon species. But it is still capable of reaching swift speeds in flight and performs aerial acrobatics when hunting prey.
This tiny raptor inhabits dry, open savannahs and woodland edges across sub-Saharan Africa. It perches low in trees or on fence posts, scanning the surroundings for prey activity. When suitable prey is spotted, the Pygmy Falcon stoops into a steep dive to snatch its target in mid-air with its sharp talons. It may also pursue prey on foot through bushes and tall grass. Breeding pairs build a nest together in an old stick nest or tree cavity.
Elf Owl
The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is the world’s lightest owl species and one of the smallest owls in the world, second only to the Pygmy Owl. This mini raptor is found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. The Elf Owl measures just 13-15cm long and weighs a mere 31-49g. That’s about the weight of 3 golf balls!
Despite its very small size, the Elf Owl is a fierce predator and feeds primarily on insects, spiders, scorpions and small vertebrates like lizards, frogs and mice. Its long legs and toes help it snatch and grasp onto prey. Elf Owls have gray-brown plumage with white spotting on the wings and back. They have yellow eyes and lack ear tufts, unlike many other owl species.
Elf Owls nest in holes in saguaro cacti and other cavities, where the female lays her eggs. They form lifelong breeding pairs and are active at night, leaving the nest at dusk to hunt. During the day these tiny owls roost in concealed locations like woodpecker holes or tree cavities. Their small size helps them go undetected by predators while roosting.
The Elf Owl is non-migratory and resides year-round in the desert southwest. Its tiny size, light weight and ability to withstand high temperatures are key adaptations for life in an arid climate. While diminutive, the Elf Owl still packs a punch and plays an important ecological role controlling pest populations.
Lesser Kestrel
The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small falcon species that breeds across southern Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It is 24–28 cm long with a wingspan of 60–72 cm and weight of 110-140g. This makes the Lesser Kestrel one of the smallest falcons in the world, significantly smaller than the better known Peregrine Falcon.
The Lesser Kestrel inhabits open country like plains, meadows and fields. It can often be seen perching on wires or poles watching for prey. It feeds primarily on insects and small mammals, reptiles and birds. Although diminutive, the Lesser Kestrel is an agile flyer and dives on prey caught unaware on the ground. It can snatch a mouse or large insect directly into its talons.
Lesser Kestrels are striking rufous-colored falcons with blue-grey wings and tail. Males have an unmarked grey head and tail, while females have brown scaling on the nape and crown. During courtship, the male performs aerial displays, swooping and diving to show off for the female. Lesser Kestrels nest colonially in buildings, cliff faces and tree cavities.
Once abundant across its range, the Lesser Kestrel suffered severe population declines throughout much of the 20th century due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Ongoing conservation programs across Europe have helped populations stabilize and recover in several areas.
American Kestrel
The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a pint-sized falcon native to North and South America. Measuring just 22–31 cm long with a wingspan of 51–61 cm and weighing 100-150g, this raptor is one of the smallest birds of prey in the Americas.
Despite its small stature, the American Kestrel is a formidable predator. It can attack prey up to twice its own size! The American Kestrel feeds primarily on invertebrates like grasshoppers and dragonflies, as well as small vertebrates like mice, voles, snakes and lizards. It requires up to 8-12 prey items per day to meet its high metabolic needs.
The American Kestrel can often be seen perching on poles, wires or branches watching for prey in open country. When it spots something, it hovers briefly then drops onto the prey. It may cache extra food items on branches or in crevices for later feeding. Although small, the American Kestrel is an aggressive and acrobatic flier. Its pointed wings allow for swift, precise movements in pursuit of prey.
American Kestrels are sexually dimorphic in color, with colorful plumage patterns. Females have rufous upperparts with black barring on the back and tail. The male has slate-blue wings and a rust-colored tail with a black terminal band. American Kestrels nest in cavities like woodpecker holes and will readily use nest boxes.
Merlin
The Merlin (Falco columbarius) is a small species of falcon that lives across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults measure 24-33cm long with a wingspan around 60cm and weigh approximately 125-165g. This makes the Merlin slightly larger than the American Kestrel but smaller than the widespread Peregrine Falcon.
The Merlin inhabits open forested areas including taiga, parklands, and coniferous forests. It hunts by swooping fast and low through the trees to catch small birds and mammals unawares. Important prey species can include sparrows, larks, swallows, doves and small rodents. Although the Merlin’s flight is swift and direct, its attacks are usually made from a concealed perch instead of an aerial stoop.
The Merlin exhibits sexual dimorphism in plumage. Females and young birds are brownish overall with heavy streaking below. Adult males have slaty-blue upperparts and finely streaked underparts. All Merlins have a dark “moustache” marking. Three subspecies of Merlins exist with varying plumage tones and patterns.
Merlins are fierce defenders of their nest sites, diving at any intruders. They usually nest in abandoned corvid or hawk stick nests high in conifers. Due to its wide distribution and healthy populations, the Merlin is currently of Least Concern conservationally.
Black-thighed Falconet
The Black-thighed Falconet (Microhierax fringillarius) of southern Asia and the Philippines represents one of the world’s smallest birds of prey. Adults are diminutive, measuring just 14–17 cm in length. But they still exhibit raptor features like sharply hooked bills and tapered wings.
This tiny predator inhabits tropical and subtropical forest regions. It is a nimble flier that zips through the forest canopy pursuing insects and other small prey. Moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, tree frogs and small lizards are all on the Black-thighed Falconet’s menu. It makes lightning-quick aerial sallies to snatch unsuspecting prey off leaves and branches.
The Black-thighed Falconet gets its name from its distinctive plumage pattern. As the name suggests, it has blackish thighs contrasting with a otherwise white underbody. The back and wing coverts are dark grey with finer white scaling, creating a speckled appearance. The face is marked with white superciliums bordering a black eye stripe.
Despite ranking among the world’s smallest raptors, the Black-thighed Falconet still exhibits the fierce nature of birds of prey. It has no trouble tackling and dispatching prey as big as itself. The Falconet’s diminutive stature allows it to hunt within dense forest interior with agility.
Pygmy Owl
The Pygmy Owl is considered to be one of the smallest owl species in the world. In fact, it holds the record for the smallest living owl on average. A widespread but uncommon species, the Pygmy Owl inhabits temperate and tropical forests around the globe. There are 5 recognized subspecies across its range:
- Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) – North America
- Mountain Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium oreo) – South America
- Sri Lanka Bay Owl (Glaucidium castanonotum) – Sri Lanka
- Least Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium minutissimum) – Central America
- Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum) – Europe, Asia, and North Africa
Pygmy Owls have a total body length of just 13.5–16.5 cm and weigh a mere 36-56 g. That’s hardly bigger than a sparrow! They have compact rounded heads with no ear tufts and relatively long tails. Plumage is cryptic brown overall with white spotting on the wings and neck.
Despite its tiny dimensions, the Pygmy Owl is a voracious predator. It hunts mostly small birds and mammals, including bats, as well as large insects, reptiles and amphibians. Pygmy Owls are crepuscular and hunt most actively at dawn and dusk. Their camouflage and silent flight aid them in ambushing unsuspecting prey. They also have the ability to alter their body shape to appear like a branch when roosting.
Pygmy Owls nest in cavities like woodpecker holes or natural hollows in trees. Females lay 3-7 eggs. These tiny but ferocious raptors play an important role controlling local rodent and insect populations. Their small size allows them to exploit forest interiors where larger owls cannot.
African Scops Owl
The African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis) is a small owl native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Adults stand just 15-17cm tall and weigh a mere 45-75g. Despite its diminutive dimensions, this little raptor has all the classic owl features scaled down into a perfectly pint-sized package.
The African Scops Owl inhabits dry open woodlands, savannas, and even urban gardens. As an ambush predator, it perches quietly watching for prey before swooping down. Insects and other invertebrates make up much of its diet, but small vertebrates including rodents, bats and other birds are also taken. It feeds largely on what is locally abundant.
In appearance, the African Scops Owl has cryptic reddish-brown upperparts with darker complex striations and streaking. The underparts are a buff color with delicate darker barring. The facial disc is subtly marked with thin outlines. Dense, soft plumage allows near silent flight when hunting.
African Scops Owls are primarily solitary and nocturnal. During the day they roost alone in dense cover like thick bushes or tree cavities. The breeding season peaks in the dry season when food is plentiful. The female alone incubates the eggs and cares for the young.
The African Scops Owl’s tiny size allows it to exploit small prey often unavailable to larger raptors. Despite its diminutive stature, this little owl is a stealthy and effective hunter under the cover of darkness.
Pearl-spotted Owlet
The Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) is a small but striking owl species found across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It stands just 15cm tall and weighs a mere 73g on average. The Pearl-spotted Owlet has characteristic white speckling on its wings and upperparts that resemble pearls, giving rise to its common name.
This mini owl inhabits dry deciduous forests, wooded habitats and urban parks. Despite its very small size, the Pearl-spotted Owlet is a fierce predator and takes a variety of prey including insects, scorpions, small birds, bats and rodents. It hunts by perching on a concealed branch then swooping down on unsuspecting prey on the ground.
In addition to its pearl-like white spotting, the Pearl-spotted Owlet can be identified by its relatively long tail and white throat neatly outlined in black. The legs are proportionally much longer than other small owls. Overall coloration is rusty brown on the upperparts and buff white below.
Pearl-spotted Owlets are mostly nocturnal and spend the day roosting in cavities or dense foliage. They are year-round residents throughout their range and do not migrate. Nesting takes place in the dry winter season when prey is abundant. Despite its tiny size, the Pearl-spotted Owlet has a surprisingly loud voice and frequently calls with a rising, screechy whistle.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is one of North America’s smallest owls. Adults stand at just 20cm tall on average and weigh between 75-90g. Although tiny in stature, this feisty owl will ferociously defend its nest and hunting territories.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl breeds across Canada and the northern United States in dense coniferous and mixed forests. It winters farther south to Mexico in similar wooded habitat. This nocturnal raptor hunts small mammals up to the size of squirrels, along with birds, amphibians and insects.
In appearance, the Northern Saw-whet Owl has rich brown plumage with extensive white spotting and barring. The facial disc is outlined in white and black. A dark brown stripe extends down the neck. Large yellow eyes provide keen night vision. The legs and talons are disproportionately large compared to the owl’s tiny body.
Northern Saw-whet Owls are secretive birds that roost in dense evergreen trees during the daytime. They nest in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes. The female alone incubates the eggs while the male provides food. Abundant rodent populations allow this fierce little owl to thrive across its breeding range.
Conclusion
Despite their very small stature, diminutive raptors like the Pygmy Falcon, Elf Owl and Pearl-spotted Owlet are mighty hunters. They use their speed, agility, keen senses and sharp talons to take down small prey many times their own size and weight. Their compact size allows them access to micro-habitats and food sources unavailable to larger raptors.
From the tiny Pygmy Falcon that weighs just 1.5oz to the ferocious Northern Saw-whet Owl standing barely 8 inches tall, these miniature birds of prey exhibit the skill and predatory prowess of their larger relatives. Evolution has fine-tuned them into highly efficient avian hunters on a small scale. So while they may be among the world’s smallest raptors, they are still bold birds of prey at heart!