Meet the adorable goblin owl – the world's smallest owl

When we think of owls, the first thing that comes to mind is this huge, terrifying bird, but apart from being as adorable as a hummingbird, owls are also tiny. And there is a special type of owl that is easily mistaken for a tennis ball, because it is no bigger than it – the goblin owl!

True to its name, the goblin owl is very small (for an owl, of course). In fact, it is the smallest species of owl on Earth. But you should never judge a book by its cover, because even smaller, this owl is just as stubborn a hunter as its larger cousin, the great-horned owl.

Native to the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Baja California, the striped owl can grow up to 6 inches long and weigh up to 1.5 ounces. However, they can still catch prey as large as they are, such as mice or lizards. However, spiders, bugs and crickets top their menu.

While in the United States they prefer comfortable sycamores for nesting, in the desert regions of Mexico they can be found in saguaro cactus. Females lay up to four eggs in the spring, and they hatch in 21 days. Both mother and father take care of the chicks.

In the fall – early October – owls migrate from the United States to Mexico and back in February – early March to nest.