Ferruginous Pygmy-owl Bird Facts (Glaucidium brasilianum)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is a small, compact owl with a rounded head lacking ear tufts. Its upperparts are reddish-brown or rufous, while the underparts are streaked with white and brown. The crown is spotted with white, giving a speckled appearance.

Females are similar to males, but as they are slightly larger, they also frequently have more rufous coloring in their plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but have slightly paler and grayer plumage.

Two distinct color morphs exist: a rufous form and a greyer form, with the rufous being more common in arid regions.

Size

Length

15cm to 19cm

Wingspan

38cm to 45cm

Weight

60g to 75g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Rufous

Secondary Colour

White Grey

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Ferruginous Pygmy-owls inhabit various habitats across the Americas, from southern Arizona and Texas in the United States through Mexico, Central America, and much of South America. They prefer semi-open woodlands, thorn scrub, and desert areas with giant cacti.

In the United States, they are year-round residents in limited areas of the Southwest. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements observed.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,480 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ferruginous Pygmy-owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Argentina Belize Bolivia Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador French Guiana Guatemala Guyana Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Trinidad and Tobago United States of America Uruguay Venezuela

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl demonstrates remarkable agility for its size. Its ability to capture prey in mid-air and perform undulating flight patterns suggests high manoeuvrability. The owl's proficiency in hunting a variety of prey, from insects to small mammals, further indicates impressive agility.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Despite its small stature, this owl exhibits considerable strength relative to its size. The ability to take prey up to twice its own weight is particularly noteworthy. However, as a small owl species, its absolute strength is limited compared to larger raptors.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl shows high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 2,480 metres elevation. Its varied diet and ability to nest in different cavity types demonstrate flexibility. The existence of colour morphs suited to different environments also suggests good adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, these owls display territorial behaviour and are bold hunters capable of taking relatively large prey. Their diurnal habits and conspicuous perching behaviour suggest a degree of assertiveness. However, they are not known for excessive aggression towards non-prey species.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl's diurnal nature and ability to hunt actively throughout the day indicate good endurance. However, as a small bird, its absolute endurance is likely moderate. The lack of long-distance migration also suggests that extreme endurance is not a key feature of this species.

Diet

Ferruginous Pygmy-owls are versatile predators, feeding on a variety of small animals. Their diet includes insects, small mammals, birds, lizards, and amphibians.

Prey includes large insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets, beetles, and moths, scorpions, and rodents, including pygmy mice and harvest mice.

They often hunt from perches, swooping down to capture prey on the ground or in mid-air, demonstrating remarkable agility for their size.

Behaviour

Ferruginous Pygmy-owls are diurnal, often active during daylight hours, especially at dawn and dusk. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern, alternating between quick wingbeats and short glides.

These territorial owls often perch conspicuously on exposed branches, scanning for prey or potential threats.

Vocalisation

The Ferruginous Pygmy-owl's call is a series of hollow, whistled notes, often described as 'poo-poo-poo' or 'whoop-whoop-whoop'. This call is repeated steadily, about 2-3 notes per second, and can continue for several minutes.

They also produce a variety of chirps, trills, and barks in different contexts.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Ferruginous Pygmy-owls typically begins in late winter or early spring. Males establish territories and attract females with persistent calling and food offerings.

These owls are cavity nesters, often using abandoned woodpecker holes, natural tree cavities, or even nest boxes. Females lay 3-5 white, roundish eggs in these cavities, which are used without additional nesting material.

Incubation lasts about 28 days, and it is primarily done by the female while the male provides food. Nestlings fledge after approximately 27-30 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, some local populations face threats. In the United States, the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl subspecies is of particular conservation concern due to habitat loss and fragmentation in Arizona. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable habitat.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

20,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl

Family:

Strigidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Predators

Main predators include larger owls, hawks, and occasionally snakes. Their small size and diurnal habits make them vulnerable to a variety of predators.

Did You Know?

Despite their small size, Ferruginous Pygmy-owls can take prey up to twice their own weight.
They have false eye spots on the back of their head, which may help deter predators.
In some cultures, these owls are considered good luck charms and are sometimes kept as pets despite legal protections.

FAQs

What is the difference between Northern Pygmy-Owl and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl?

Similar in size and coloring, there are some subtle differences between northern pygmy-owls and ferruginous pygmy-owls that help tell the two species apart.

There is some overlap between the range of these two tiny owls, with ferruginous pygmy-owls present further south than their northern counterparts, with a range that extends deep into Mexico, with a limited presence in the United States.

Both species are diurnal, mostly active at dawn and dusk, with northern pygmy-owls typically found at higher elevations. In appearance, the main difference is seen in the forehead markings, which are streaked in ferruginous pygmy-owls and spotted in northern pygmy-owls.