Little Owl, Athene noctua, is a species of nocturnal bird of prey found in cropland, grassland and woodland and forest ecosystems. It is a widespread resident across much of Europe (except the north). The species is found in a variety of habitats, ranging from parkland, orchards and cultivated fields with hedges to rocky, semi-desert regions and steppes and extends from boreal to tropical areas (European Red List 2015).

Athene noctua has a breeding population size of 221000-420000 pairs and a breeding range size of 1970000 square kilometres in the EU27. The breeding population trend in the EU27 is Decreasing in the short term and Unknown in the long term.

The EU population status for Athene noctua is Unknown, as the data reported were not sufficient to assess the population status of the species.