- Glaucidium palmarum
Identification
13-15 cm
- Cinnamon brown, especially in a ring around the neck
- White markings on back
- Streaked breast
- Lighter brown head
- Black eye patches outlined in white on the rear of the head
- White tail bars (usually 3-4 visible)
- Bright yellow-orange feet
Sexes alike
Distribution
Central America: endemic to Mexico where found in a narrow range stretching from Oaxaca almost to Arizona.
Taxonomy
There are 3 subspecies
- G. p. oberholseri:
- North-western Mexico (Sonora to Sinaloa)
- G. p. palmarum:
- Western Mexico (Nayarit to Oaxaca)
- G. p. griscomi:
- Central Mexico (south-western Morelos and north-eastern Guerrero)
Habitat
Forest, mostly dry -- ranging from thorny lowland wooded areas to higher altitude dry pine. Occasionally found in swampy forest.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in a tree cavity or woodpecker hole. The clutch consists of 2-4 eggs.
Diet
The diet includes birds, up to at least twice its own size, as well as other smaller vertebrates and larger invertebrates. This owl is active at night and parts of the day.
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Owling.com
- König, C. and F. Weick 2008. Owls of the World, second edition. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Colima Pygmy Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Colima_Pygmy_Owl
