Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium brasilianum, is a diminutive yet robust bird of prey, with a length of merely 15 cm (5.9 in). It boasts disproportionately large feet and talons for its size, and its plumage is a mosaic of white or buff streaks across the crown, white-spotted wing coverts, and a heavily streaked white underbelly. Above its facial disc, you will notice prominent white supercilia, and on the nape, two dark spots mimic eyes, a feature birders often refer to as "false eyes." The coloration of this species is quite variable, ranging from grey-brown with a barred black-and-white tail to a rich rufous with a uniformly colored tail. Both sexes appear similar, though females may be slightly larger and often exhibit a more reddish hue.

Identification Tips

When observing the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, look for its small, stocky frame and large talons. The white streaks on the crown and spots on the wings are key identification markers, as are the "false eyes" on the back of the head. The undulating flight pattern, reminiscent of woodpeckers, is also a distinctive characteristic to help identify this species in the field.

Habitat

This owl is known to inhabit a wide array of semi-open wooded environments, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability to different landscapes.

Distribution

The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl has a broad range, breeding from south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, down through Mexico and Central America, and further into South America, reaching as far as Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Behaviour

This owl is often betrayed by the cacophony of small birds that mob it while it rests in a tree. Such gatherings can be quite the spectacle, with up to 40 birds from 11 different species recorded mobbing a single owl.

Song & Calls

The owl's call is a distinctive whistled series of "hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo," typically pitched in E flat. This call can be mimicked by birdwatchers to attract other birds that are keen to mob the owl.

Breeding

The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl nests in cavities, whether in trees or cacti, during the late winter to early spring. It lays a clutch of one to seven white eggs, with an incubation period of 28 days and a fledging time of 27 to 30 days.

Diet and Feeding

Active during twilight, but also by day, this owl preys on a diverse menu including birds, lizards, other reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and insects. Its diet includes grasshoppers, crickets, scorpions, six-lined racerunners, four-lined skinks, Texas spotted whiptails, creamy-bellied thrushes, pale-breasted thrushes, eared doves, and mice.

Conservation status

The northernmost subspecies, G. b. cactorum, known as the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, was once listed as an Endangered species in the U.S. but was delisted in 2006. It remains a species of concern due to habitat loss and the threat of buffel grass fires in its range. Overall, the species is considered Secure, but vigilance is necessary to ensure its continued survival.