#Eurasian #Pygmy Owl and #Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Pygmy Owl came to the backyard to hunt small birds. It was so focused on catching prey that I got close to take photographs.
Pygmy Owl is only about a size of a fist. It is very sympathetic bird.

It is smallest owl in Europe. The owl preys on birds some nearly as large as itself and small mammals, such as voles.
It nests in old woodpecker holes, often those of the great spotted woodpecker,

This starling-sized bird hunts at dawn, dusk, and even daytime, rather than in total darkness. 

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER

A small woodpecker, not much large than a sparrow. Head black an white, back mainly whitish whit  black crosswise spotted markings. Underparts pale whit narrow, dark streaking. No red coluring on vent.

It can be found in the bulrushes looking for small larvae.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is really very beautiful and sympathetic bird.

This handsome was in Hamina when I was nature excursion with my brother's .

For comparison here are picture for Great spotted woodpecker and Whit-backed woodpecker.

Great spotted woodpecker

Whit-backed woodpecker