The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is a member of the owl family Strigidae, that breeds in the southwestern US and Mexico

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The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is a member of the owl family Strigidae, that breeds in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is the world's lightest owl, although the Long-whiskered Owlet and the Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl are of a similarly diminutive length.[2] The mean body weight of this species is 40 grams ( oz). These tiny owls are to centimetres ( to in) long and have a wingspan of about 27 cm ( in).[3] Their primary projection extends nearly past their tail. They have fairly long legs and often appear bow-legged. They can often be heard calling to one another just after dusk or at sunset. Their call is a high-pitched whinny or chuckle. The male and female dart around trees and call back and forth.

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Keywords: bird, brown, desert, ear, elf, gray, mexico, micrathene, owl, pigmy, prey, range, small, smallest, southwest, tiny, tufts, usa, whitneyi