Costa Rican Pygmy Owl

The Costa Rican pygmy owl, Glaucidium costaricanum, is a diminutive raptor, a member of the Strigidae family. With a length ranging from 14.5 to 17 cm (5.7 to 6.7 inches), males tip the scales at a modest 53 to 70 grams (1.9 to 2.5 ounces), while females may weigh up to 99 grams (3.5 ounces). Exhibiting two color morphs, one primarily brown and the other a rich rufous, these owls are adorned with paler spots across their head and upperparts. Their tails echo the base hue, punctuated by four white bands and a white tip. A pair of blackish spots with pale borders on the nape mimic eyes, a fascinating adaptation. The underparts are a stark white, with flanks matching the base color. The facial disc is intricately marked with buff and white, while the eyes and feet are a striking yellow, the maxilla a greenish yellow, and the mandible a light brown with a yellow tip.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Costa Rican pygmy owl, look for the distinctive eye-like spots on the nape, which serve as a deterrent to predators. The yellow eyes and feet are also key characteristics, as is the bird's small stature and the white bands on the tail.

Habitat

This owl favors the canopy and edges of humid montane oak and evergreen forests, a realm of verdant foliage and mist.

Distribution

The species graces the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica, with its presence trailing into western Panama. It thrives at elevations from 900 to 3,000 meters (3,000 to 9,800 feet) on the Caribbean slope and 1,200 to 3,000 meters (3,900 to 9,800 feet) on the Pacific slope.

Behaviour

The Costa Rican pygmy owl is a permanent resident within its range, exhibiting a preference for hunting both by day and night. It employs a low perch strategy in dense foliage, launching swift dashes at its prey and often returning to its perch if the initial attempt fails. When agitated, it may swish its tail from side to side.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of this owl includes a series of clear, unmodulated toots, which may be delivered in pairs, triplets, or a continuous stream. When excited, the owl accelerates the pace, emitting a rapid, higher-pitched sequence of toots.

Breeding

Details on the breeding habits of the Costa Rican pygmy owl are scarce. However, it is known to nest in tree cavities, often utilizing old woodpecker holes. A nest discovered in March contained three eggs, hinting at the species' reproductive timing.

Diet and Feeding

While the specifics of its diet remain to be fully cataloged, the Costa Rican pygmy owl is known to consume birds, small mammals, other vertebrates, and large arthropods.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Costa Rican pygmy owl as Least Concern, with a population believed to be stable. It is considered rare in Panama and varies from rare to locally fairly common in Costa Rica. The species appears resilient to human activity in the short term, with habitat destruction posing localized threats.