The little owl is of small size and dumpy appearance. It has a habit of sitting atop of some post, telegraph pole or other prominent perch. This makes the little owl one of the most frequently observed of owls. It is a deep grey-brown (gray-brown) above, boldly spotted with white. The under-parts are white, with broad, broken streaks of grey-brown (gray-brown). A prominent facial mask is marked by dark areas around the yellow eyes, giving a remarkably ‘cross’ or ‘frowning’ look to the face. There is a dark band at the chin. Like most other owls it perches upright, and it has a bounding, woodpecker-like flight. When threatened it bobs and moves from side to side, as if to get a better look at the danger.

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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.