Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small European owl: "Athene noctua" is the scientific name for a specific species of owl, commonly known as the little owl. It is a small, predominantly brown and white owl native to Europe, parts of Asia, and North Africa.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Athene noctua is often seen perched on fence posts or rocks during the day.
  • Conservation efforts are important for protecting the habitat of the Athene noctua.

Advanced Usage

• In binomial nomenclature: The term "Athene noctua" is used in scientific and zoological contexts to precisely identify this species, distinguishing it from other owls. The first part () is the genus, and the second () is the specific epithet.
  • The study focused on the hunting behavior of Athene noctua.

Variants and Related Words

• Little owl: The common English name for .
  • The little owl (Athene noctua) was introduced to the United Kingdom in the 19th century.

Synonyms

• Little owl: The primary common name synonym.
• Athenian owl: A less common literary or historical reference, alluding to its association with the Greek goddess Athena.

Notes on Meaning

• This term is a proper noun when referring to the specific biological species. It is not used in general language but is specialized to scientific, birdwatching, and conservation contexts. It does not have multiple everyday meanings.

Noun

1. small European owl