What is the smallest owl in the world?

Well, this couldn't have been more obvious.
The two smallest owls are the...wait for it....


Northern Pygmy Owl and the Elf Owl.


Now we feel a little stupid for not knowing that off the bat.
Which one is smallest?  Depends on the individual owl to whom you happen to hold up a ruler.
The Northern Pygmy Owl is between 6 and 7 inches, while the Elf Owl is 5 inches to up to almost a foot tall.


Here's a small peek