**4.2 Little owl** *Athene noctua* **(Scopoli, 1769) (IUCN red list: LC)**

The following are explained in **Figure 6**.

Iraq

Status: Fairly widespread breeding resident in North and Central Iraq, uncommon in the south; possibly a passage migrant. Records verified by Salim et al. [15] indicated that all Little Owl observations from Iraq were from Hutton's Owl subspecies *A. n. bactriana* (also see [9]), from Southeastern Azerbaijan, Eastern Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan east through Central Asia to the Balkhash Lake. However, this range is overlapping with the Lilith Owlet ssp. *A. n. lilith* in Eastern Iraq, which is regarded as having uncertain status; an observation from Southeastern Iraqi arid plains showed features of *A*. *n. lilith* where it may breed.

Literature records: Samarra-Tekrit area, Amara, Shaiba, Adhaim, Suleimanla [1], Khanaqin [4, 5], Agarguf, Al-Yosifiyah, Baghdad-Habaniyah area, Jabal Himrin, Sir Amadia, Rawandoz [3], and specimen shot in Samarra [9].

Recent records: Haditha-Rutba, Khan Al-Baghdadi, Ramadi, Zurbatiyah, and Teeb (probably of the race *A*. *n. lilith*).

Syria

Status: Resident breeding. Widespread in all regions. This species can be observed everywhere except for cities and residential areas. It is more common than the Western Barn Owl.

Literature records: Qal'at Sukkara [49], Qal'at Al-Madiq, Shah Ranaz, Qal'at Sukkara, el-Ukersheh, Hirquleh [33], as-Suwar, es-Salihiyyeh, Halabiyyeh, Zalabiyyeh, Mari, Qal'at er-Rahba, Tell Sheikh Hamad, Maalula, Qasr Al-Hayr Al-Sharqi, ar-Rasafah, 10 km E of ar-Rasheidah [32], Qasr Ibn Wardan [28], Mzeirib, Ain *Queens of the Night, the Owls of Iraq and Syria - Species, Current Distribution,… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109571*

**Figure 6.** *Distribution of Little owl Athene noctua in Iraq and Syria.*

Thakar, Jelleen, Khrab Al-Shaham, Ain Jum'aa, Mari, Qal'at er-Rahba, Tell Sheikh Hamad, Arnah, Hele, Kharabow, Sbieneh, Babennes, Jarablus, Qal'at Najim, Qal'at Samaan, Qasr Sallum, Yahmool, Qal'at Al-Madiq, Qasr Ibn Wardan, as-Salha, Heymu, Tell Beydar, Atheria, as-Sa'an, at-Tanaf, Al-Qaryatein, Mhassa, Qal'at Al-Hosson, Qal'at Fakhr ad-Din al-Maani, Qasr Al-Hayr Al-Gharbi, Qasr Al-Hayr Al-Sharqi, Tell Senan, Ebla Ruins, Khrab Sultan, Booqa, Fekhaykha, Qal'at Ja'abar, Tell Abiad, Tell Abu Hurera, Ain Arab, Qal'at Al-Marqab [17], ad-Dukhoul [54], and Halabiyyeh [55].

Recent records: Abu ash-shamat, Abu Kamal, ach-Chola, Abu Khashab, ad-Dukhoul, Al- Bolaiyah, Al-Basiri, Al-Bseireh, Al-Furuklus, Al-Ghazili, Al-Hjeifat steppe, Al-Kasra, Al-Nabk, Al-Qaryatein, Al-Qsupy, Al-Thlithawat, Arak, ar-Rasafah, ar-Rawda steppe, ash-Shaddady, as-Sab' Biar, as-Sarayim, as-Sukhnah, as-Suwar, Ayyash, az-Zelif, Beer Al-Hashem, Buhayrat Al-Khatuniyah, Burqan, Feidhat Ibn Muwyin'e, Gleighim, Hasia, Jabal Abd Al-Aziz, Jabal Al-Bilaas, Kabajep, Khadhra Almay, Khanaser, Maadan, Mabroukah, Mari, Marqada, Mueayzilah W of Khabour River, Mueayzilah S of Deir ez-Zor, Mueileh, Qudsayya, Ras Al-Ayn N of Al Hasaka, Sahnaya, Salamiyah, Slouq, Talkalakh, and Twal Al-Aba (**Figures 7**–**10**).
