Ferruginous pygmy-owl
The ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ) 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. It is the most widely distributed pygmy owl and is probably one of the most numerous owl species in Central America and South America.
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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JumpingJumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe ferruginous pygmy-owl is a small and stocky bird 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 and dark two spots on the nape, often termed "false eyes" by birders. The overall color of these birds is highly variable, ranging from grey-brown with a black-and-white barred tail to rich rufous with a uniform rufous tail. The males and females are similar in appearance although females are slightly larger and often more reddish in color.
Ferruginous pygmy owls breed in south-central Arizona and southern Texas in the United States, south through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. These birds live in a wide range of semi-open wooded habitats; they can be found in a tropical and subtropical forest, forest edges, riverine forest, dry oak woodlands, bushy areas, saguaro desert, and mesquite.
Ferruginous pygmy owls usually spend their time singly or in pairs. They move by walking and hopping from branch to branch and also make short, direct flights. Their flight is often undulating in motion, similar to that of many woodpecker species. When excited or feeling danger, the birds will cock their tail and move it from side to side. Ferruginous pygmy owls are crepuscular but often hunt by day. They hunt from a perch and when the prey is spotted they will dart out in very rapid flight grabbing it with talons. Ferruginous pygmy owls usually become vocal around sunrise and sunset. Their main call is a whistled hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. It is easily imitated and is used by birdwatchers to attract small birds intent on mobbing the pygmy owls.
Ferruginous pygmy owls are carnivores and hunt a variety of insects, birds, mammals, and occasionally reptiles.
Ferruginous pygmy owls are monogamous and form strong long-lasting pair bonds. They breed from late winter to early spring. Pairs nest in cavities in cactus or tree holes made by woodpeckers. The female lays 1-7 white eggs and incubates them within 28 days. The male brings food during the incubation and first weeks after hatching. The owlets fledge when they are 27-30 days old and become independent from their parents approximately 3 weeks later.
The main threat that faces Ferruginous pygmy owls is habitat loss. The northernmost subspecies, commonly called the Cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, loses its habitat due to buffel grass fires. Buffel grass catches fire very easily, which spreads to cacti and burns the owl's primary habitat.
According to the What Bird resource, the total population size of the Ferruginous pygmy owl is around 50 million individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.