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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

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 5 Nov. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on elf owl

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!