Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Glaucidium brasilianum
The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) is a common owl found in 22 countries, weighing about 75 g. The ferruginous pygmy owl is a small owl that breeds in south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
About the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
The ferruginous pygmy owl is a small owl that breeds in south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The ferruginous pygmy owl is small, typically 15 cm (5.9 in), and stocky with disproportionately large feet and talons. The crown has elongated white/buff streaks, the wing coverts have white spots, and the underparts are heavily streaked white. There are prominent white supercilia above the facial disc. There are two dark spots on the nape, often termed "false eyes" by birders. Otherwise, its overall color is highly variable, ranging from grey-brown with a black-and-white barred tail to rich rufous with a uniform rufous tail. Voice: The call is a whistled hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, usually in E flat. It is easily imitated, and is used by birdwatchers to attract small birds intent on mobbing the pygmy owls.
What the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in French Guiana.
When to see it
The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl?
- The ferruginous pygmy owl is small, typically 15 cm (5.9 in), and stocky with disproportionately large feet and talons. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl?
- The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 75 g.
- Where can you see a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl?
- The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl occurs in 22 countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil and Colombia.
- What does a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl?
- The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is most easily confused with the Eurasian Pygmy Owl, the Jungle Owlet and the Northern Pygmy Owl.
- Is the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl endangered?
- The Ferruginous Pygmy Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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