Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

Identification & Behavior: ~17 cm (6.7 in). The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl has rufous and brown color morphs. The head is streaked in the adult. The breast can be rufous or brown with streaks down the belly. It is similar to the Amazonian Pygmy-Owl, but looks larger, has a streaked crown and forehead, favors forest edges and second growth, and has a relatively longer tail. The iris is yellow. The color morphs in Glaucidium pygmy owls makes visual identification challenging. Voice, elevation, and range should be considered for proper identification.

Status: The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is fairly common in Amazonia where it ranges to elevations of up to 2000 m along the foothill of the eastern Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Lechucita Ferruginosa.

Sub-species: Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ucayalae) Chapman, 1929.

Meaning of Name: Glaucidium: Gr. glaukidion= diminutive of Glaux= little owl, little owl. brasilianum: L. brasilianus= referring to the country of Brazil, Brazilian.

See more of the Family Strigidae