Ferruginous Pygmy-owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Also known as:Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl

Explore this bird

Identification

17 cm (7") Uncommon. Arizona and Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Open woodlands, saguaro deserts.

Small earless owl. Very similar to Northern Pygmy-Owl. Black patches below neck produce "eyes on the back of the head" look.

Song: long rapid series of "tooks".

Watch and learn

1 video

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Credit: Carolyn Grayson

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 1 rule

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

1 rule

Rule 1 8 criteria confidence 2

Did the owl have EAR TUFTS ?: No · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Very Long · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Hooked · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Owl
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:266-pygmy-owls:1:2 Source: 266 Pygmy Owls, row 1