Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl

The Tamaulipas pygmy owl, a diminutive yet charismatic bird, is one of the world's smallest owls. With an average length of a mere 13.5 cm (5.3 inches), it is a creature of subtle beauty. Despite its size, it weighs slightly more than its peers, the long-whiskered owlet and the elf owl, at around 53 grams (1.9 ounces).

Identification Tips

To identify the Tamaulipas pygmy owl, look for a bird with a brownish facial disc, flecked with white and sporting short white eyebrows. The upper parts are olive-brown, with a greyer crown and fine white speckling at the front and sides. Its wings and tail feathers are barred with white, while the underparts are a lighter whitish with reddish-brown streaking and mottling. The legs are feathered, the bill is a yellowish-brown, and the eyes gleam with a yellow hue. The female of the species tends to have a more reddish-brown tinge overall.

Habitat

This owl favors the subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, where the air is often heavy with mist and the foliage lush with moisture.

Distribution

Endemic to Mexico, the Tamaulipas pygmy owl is found in the mountainous regions of northeastern Mexico, specifically in the northern part of Hidalgo and the southeastern part of San Luis Potosí. It thrives at altitudes ranging from 900 to 2,100 meters (3,000 to 6,900 feet).

Behaviour

The Tamaulipas pygmy owl is a partly diurnal bird, active during the day when it hunts for insects and small vertebrates such as lizards. Its breeding habits are not well-documented, but it is known to nest in tree cavities previously excavated by woodpeckers, laying up to four white eggs.

Conservation status

Once classified as "Least Concern," the Tamaulipas pygmy owl's status has been updated to "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The forests it calls home are under threat from logging, reducing its habitat and leading to a decline in population, which is currently estimated to be fewer than 50,000 individuals.