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Two distinct colour phases of the little owl occur in New Zealand. A comparison of a specimen of each with large series of European and British skins shows that the New Zealand birds cannot be separated from either the West German or the English specimens. The status of the subspecies of the little owl and their European distribution is given with particular reference to the colour phases present. It is considered futile to ascribe a specific status to the New Zealand population before a thorough revision of the European forms of Athene noctua is under taken.