Little Owl Welfare: An Introduced Species Facing Decline

The little owl was introduced to England in the 19th century and is now a naturalised part of the farmland bird community. Despite this, its populations have declined significantly and it faces growing welfare and conservation concern.

Key Facts

Little owls were introduced to England from continental Europe in the 1870s and rapidly colonised farmland habitats
UK little owl populations declined by approximately 62% between 1970 and 2019 according to BTO data
Little owls are amber-listed — a species of moderate conservation concern
They nest in hollow trees, old farm buildings, and stone walls — all features declining in modern agricultural landscapes
Little owls are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal hunters but can be seen in daylight, making them more observable than most owls
Prey includes earthworms, beetles, small mammals, and small birds — reflecting their generalist ecology
Road traffic is a significant mortality source — little owls often hunt and perch at low levels near roadsides
Despite being introduced, little owls are now considered naturalised and are included in UK conservation assessments

Welfare Considerations

Little owl welfare challenges parallel those of barn owls — road mortality, nest site loss, and invertebrate prey decline — but with the additional complexity of their non-native status. Their legal protection in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 resolves the question of whether their welfare deserves consideration — it does. The decline in earthworm availability due to soil compaction and pesticide use directly affects little owl foraging success. Like barn owls, they respond positively to nest box provision. The welfare of individual little owls caught as incidental victims of pest control targeting other species is a concern in gamekeeping contexts.

What You Can Do

Install little owl nest boxes in farmland and orchard settings following Wildlife Trust guidance
Support invertebrate-friendly farming practices that maintain earthworm and beetle prey availability
Report little owl sightings to BTO BirdTrack to support population monitoring
Advocate for protection of hollow trees and old farm buildings that serve as nesting sites
Donate to owl monitoring and research programmes tracking little owl population trends
Educate others about the little owl conservation status to build support for its protection