Which is the world’s smallest owl species?

The elf owl is the world’s smallest owl species.

Elf owls usually measure about 12 to 14 centimetres long and commonly weigh around 35 to 55 grams. They live mainly in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, using woodpecker holes and other cavities for shelter and nesting.

Despite their tiny size, elf owls are active predators. Their prey includes insects, spiders, scorpions, small lizards, and occasionally other small animals. They are mostly nocturnal and can be difficult to spot because of their small stature and camouflage.

The name “pygmy owl” is sometimes used for other small owls, which can cause confusion. The elf owl, Micrathene whitneyi, is the species most consistently recognized as the smallest owl by body size and mass.