elf owl

noun

: a very small insectivorous owl (Micrathene whitneyi) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that roosts and nests in the cavities of trees and saguaro cacti

Examples of elf owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Smallest Owl: Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) (Credit: RoSy76/Shutterstock) Holding the title of the world’s tiniest owl with its teeny talons is the elf owl. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elf owl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elf owl was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near elf owl

Cite this Entry

“Elf owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elf%20owl. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elf owl

noun
: a very small insect-eating owl that rests, sleeps, and nests in the holes of trees and saguaro cacti of desert areas of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico

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