Bird Guide

Andean Pygmy Owl vs Colima Pygmy Owl

Andean Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium jardinii)

Andean Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium jardinii

Medium67 gForest

The Andean pygmy owl is 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) long. Males weigh 54.9 to 77.4 g (1.9 to 2.7 oz) and females 54.6 to 75 g (1.9 to 2.6 oz). It has two distinct color morphs; in one the head, most of the body, wings, and tail are dull dark brown with white markings and in the other the same areas are dark chestnut with buff markings. In both the crown has small white dots. They have white "brows" over yellow eyes, white "moustaches", and a broad white throat. Their nape has a black and white face-like pattern. Their backs have spots and the tail bars, white or buff respectively. Voice: The Andean pygmy owl's song is a "long series of rapidly delivered, evenly spaced 'poop' notes" that is sometimes preceded by two whistles.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Andean Pygmy Owl
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Pichincha: Tandayapa ridge 3 km SSW Tandayapa, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Christoph Moning · CC BY 4.0
Colima Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium palmarum)

Colima Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium palmarum

Small46 gForest

The Colima pygmy owl is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long. Male specimens weigh 43 to 48 g (1.5 to 1.7 oz) and females are noted as heavier without quantification. The head and back are brown, the wings mostly grayish brown, and the tail a deeper grayish brown. The head has small dull white spots. White spots show along the closed wing and the tail has oval white spots forming bands across it. The face has dull white "eyebrows" and the nape has a pair of dark "eye spots". The underparts are buffy white with wide cinnamon stripes. Voice: The Colima pygmy owl's song is a "hollow hooting ... with variable, often increasing, number of notes... up to 24 notes (or more?) in series."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Colima Pygmy Owl
Recorded by Diego_Barrales · Call · Xochimancas, Tlaltizapán, Morelos, Mexico · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Pygmy Owl and Colima Pygmy Owl.