Long-whiskered Owlet

The long-whiskered owlet is one of the world's smallest owls. It is 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) long; three individuals weighed an average of 48 g (1.7 oz). Only the heavier Tamaulipas pygmy owl and the lighter elf owl are of a similar diminutive length. The sexes are alike. Their face has a dull cinnamon brown ruff around the eyes and buffish white "eyebrows". The ruff's outer feathers are long and thin and project beyond the face, the feature which provides the species' English name. Their crown, nape, and upperparts are brown with tiny dull black bars. Their tail is dull brown. Voice: What is thought to be the long-whiskered owlet's primary song is "a single, slightly hoarse, hoot, rising then falling slightly in pitch: whoOOo...apparently given in a series of 4–6 notes/min." "It may also give a rapid, low-pitched trill, which is rarely heard."