Characteristics

Size: 21 to 23 cm - about the size of a blackbird
Appearance: Plumage brown apex and upper surface speckled with white long legs, short tail, yellow eyes
Food: mice, insects, reptiles, amphibians and earthworms
Breeding sites: tree hollows, building niches, rock walls, stone walls, ground hollows
Activity: crepuscular and diurnal

The little owl lives in Europe today mainly in climatically favourable open landscapes at an altitude below 500 to 600m above sea level. The skilled ground hunter needs open areas with low vegetation to search for food. This preference coincides very well with the spread of viticulture in eastern Austria. It is therefore hardly surprising that the few occurrences in Austria have settled in the vicinity of meadows and pastures, the vegetation of which is kept short all year round by grazing or mowing. But also orchards with standard crops or parks on the edge of settlements can offer a suitable habitat.

In addition, the local little owl is dependent on cave-rich trees, buildings or loess walls in its habitat in order to find breeding grounds and successfully reproduce.

Once endemic, today endangered

In Austria the little owl is currently classified as critically endangered on the Red List of Austria's breeding birds. The main cause of the alarming decline in the little owl population is linked to the intensification of agriculture and the lack of breeding grounds in the form of old hollow trees. These not only serve as a nesting place, but also as important daytime hideouts. Intensively used agricultural areas, which characterize the landscape today, only have limited utility as hunting grounds for the little owl. Due to the lack of structures, they can only be used as a breeding area in rare cases.

A new home

As part of the little owl research project, the AOC branch office in Seebarn is analyzing the potential of areas for existing little owls. Taking into account factors that limit the population as well as potential hazards, species protection measures can be implemented sustainably based on the knowledge gained and in cooperation with the locally active association Wagrampur. In the course of this, land managers are making the living space more attractive, and missing structures, such as breeding places, are compensated for, using nesting boxes. This ensures that the existing population can spread naturally and, in the best case scenario, the population numbers will rise again.

We would be grateful for your support in the form of donations for the Little owl project.

A very special wine

In cooperation with the winemaker Ulzer am Wagram, there is now a very special wine to buy: "Athene - Little Owl" grüner Veltliner 2020.

The rare little owl is supported with the purchase of every bottle!

Visit Ulzer wine shop

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