Cyprus -Nature- Birds - The Little Owl

Another resident bird of Cyprus belonging to the same family, the Strigidae, is the Little Owl. It is well-known from ancient times as it was the holy bird of Goddess Athena, the emblem of Athenians and the symbol of wisdom. Aristophanes' proverb komizw glavka es AthnvasΣ, which corresponds to the English proverb "carry coals to Newcastle" is still in use today. Throughout the ancient Greek world the Little Owl appeared on countless representations ranging from sculptures to coins.

Little Owls are fairly common resident birds in Cyprus. The upper parts of the bird are grey-brown streaked with white, while the under parts show pale streaking on brown. It has a frowning expression on its round face. One may often see them in broad daylight. When disturbed they bob in a grotesque way and then stay motionless, the wide lemon eyes staring. It has no ear tufts. When feeding they drop down from their perch to take a mouse or beetle or snatch an insect in the air. This solitary bird lives in old houses, ruins or caves. Nests are also found in wells and low cliffs.

It is often seen in cemeteries and for this reason people consider it a herald of death. It's call, loud and shrill, "Kukutyow" which perfectly explains its name in the Cypriot dialect "koukoufkiaos" is a bad omen. When it is heard near a certain house, one of its residents i.s supposed to die within forty days. To drive it away people used to throw cinders or a piece of stale bread at it calling down curses upon it.