Meet The Tiniest Elf Owl In The World

Native to the American Southwest, Elf Owls are slightly larger than a soda can, but that doesn't stop them from being determined predators. The tiny elf owl (Micrathene whitneyi) weighs less than a golf ball.

Elf owls hunt at dusk and during the night for insects and the occasional scorpion (eaten after the stinger is carefully removed). No need for water in this dry landscape; elf owls get all they need from their prey. Like other owls, elf owls are silent but deadly. Usually, air flow over bird wings makes a gushing sound. But owl wings have little projections on the front edge and a fringe of feathers at the back edge that break up air flow and reduce sound. Almost all remaining noise is absorbed by soft feathers on the wings and legs. Critters don't know what's coming for them until it's too late.