The elf owl Micrathene whitney is the smallest owl in North America and a neotropical migrant. Wintering in central Mexico, they return to West Texas as well as other parts of the southwest to nest and raise their young. Picoides scalaris for nest sites. Since trees are scarce, woodpeckers use fence posts, yucca stalks, dead tree limbs and power poles as nest sites.
Power poles are abundant and heavily utilized as nest sites.
But as more electric lines are placed underground, significant loss of power pole nest sites could impact the breeding population of elf owls as well as other cavity nesters. To offset this loss, a four-year study was initiated to determine if elf owls would use nest boxes. In addition, the study examines other aspects of the ecology of this little-known species. Researchers band both adult and young elf owls for identification purposes and also weigh, measure and photograph each owl. Nesting success, pair fidelity, site fidelity, longevity, diet and return of young to natal areas to breed are significant portions of the research.