- Glaucidium sanchezi
Identification
13-18 cm. The only species with sexual dimorphism in this genus.
Male
- Grey-brown crown and nape with fine pale buff to whitish spots on forecrown
- Dark "false eyes" on nape
- Greyish olive-brown back
- Pale cinnamon to pale buff spots forming bars on wing
- Six whitish bars on tail
Female
- Washed cinnamon nape and upperparts
- Fairly uniform back and wings, distinctively redder than male
- Buff to pale cinnamon tail-bars
Juveniles have an unspotted grey crown and nape, contrasting with brown upperparts, forehead can be flecked whitish to buff, the false eye-spots are sootier and they have pale cinnamon tail-bars.
Distribution
Endemic to a small area in northeast Mexico.
An uncommon to fairly common restricted-range species. Regularly found around the towns of El Naranjo and Gómez Farías. A little known species.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Formerly included in Least Pygmy Owl together with other species.
Habitat
Moist montane forest. Occurs at 900 to 2100m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on large insects and reptiles.
Breeding
Not much known. The nest is in a tree cavity or a hole, often an old woodpecker hole. Lays 2 to 4 eggs.
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1999. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5: Barn-Owls to Hummingbirds. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334252
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 30 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Tamaulipas_Pygmy_Owl
