The Ferocious Hunting Skill of the World’s Smallest Owl

In a solemn clip from the PBS show Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas, narrated by Thomas Haden Church, a tiny elf owl showcases his ferocious prowess as he sets out into the black night in search of food for his waiting family. The elf owl is considered the smallest owl in the world, however, size does not stop this dedicated hunter from going after what he wants.

Meet the World's Smallest Owl

For the next five months, he will bring swift and silent death to countless creatures of the Big Bend night. He is an elf owl, the very smallest owl in the world. Barely five inches high and weighing less than a tennis ball, but for elf owls, size truly doesn’t matter. They’ll tackle prey almost as big and powerful as themselves.

Worlds Smallest Owl

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.