Little Owl Welfare: Farmland Prey Availability and Nesting

The little owl, introduced to Britain in the 19th century, has declined by 65% since 1970. Its welfare depends on invertebrate-rich permanent grassland and hollow trees or stone walls for nesting.

Key Facts

UK little owl populations have declined from approximately 7,500 pairs in the 1980s to below 3,000 today
Little owls feed primarily on earthworms and beetles in permanent grassland with short vegetation
The species requires hollow trees, old farm buildings or stone walls with cavities for nesting
Agricultural intensification converting permanent grassland to arable or improved pasture removes foraging habitat
Little owl nest boxes have been widely installed and are accepted readily by prospecting birds

Welfare Considerations

Little owls dependent on invertebrate-poor improved grassland experience nutritional stress that affects chick provisioning and adult body condition. Adults that cannot find sufficient earthworms and beetles within foraging range of their nest site invest increasing energy in longer, riskier foraging excursions. Chicks that receive insufficient food die of starvation in the nest, representing a welfare cost for the chicks and a significant wasted reproductive investment for the parents. The loss of hollow nesting trees through tree surgery and the conversion of old farm buildings removes traditional nest sites faster than nest boxes can compensate.

What You Can Do

Install little owl nest boxes on farms and in orchards following Wildlife Trust placement guidelines
Maintain permanent grassland and traditional orchards that support invertebrate prey populations
Report little owl activity to county bird recording groups to support population monitoring
Advocate for agri-environment payments supporting permanent pasture maintenance
Support traditional orchard restoration projects that provide both foraging and nesting habitat