Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

A very small owl with a short tail, yellow eyes, and pale beak

Males: back is brownish gray with buff colored spotting; belly has white, gray, and cinnamon coloring

Females: same as males

Young: darker brownish gray than adults; belly is lighter with dark brown barring
Height: Males 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in), Females 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in)

Weight: Males 41g (1.44 oz), Females 41g (1.44 oz)

Wingspan Both: 38 cm (15.0 in)
Range: in North America only; in the U.S. found in only the desert southwest states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas; also inhabits Baja California and Mexico

Habitat: cactus deserts, riparian forests, dry oak woodlands, and mesquite
Arthropods only: mostly insects like moths, crickets, and beetles; also spiders and scorpions
Males: a series of 5-15 high-pitched churp notes; male may repeat call many times during breeding season resembles the sound of a “puppy yelping”

Females: cricket like trill when fed by male; both give a single “peeu” note during nesting
Nest Site: cavity nester; nests in cactus and tree holes made by woodpeckers

Eggs: 1-5 glossy white, round to oval eggs

Incubation: 21-24 days
Crepuscular and nocturnal; flies and hovers over the ground, capturing flying insect prey as they take flight

Owl Research Institute -