Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium peruanum
Very small owl of desert and western foothills of the Andes; no other pygmy-owl in its range. Overall plumage tones vary from brown to gray-brown, rarely rusty brown. Often active in daytime. Fairly common but easily overlooked, although persistent tooting song and presence of mobbing small birds can draw attention. Found in woodlands, hedges with taller trees, gardens, and locally in more open country. Ranges low to high, from canopy of tallest trees to low in thickets; sometimes perches on roadside wires.
Identification
The Pacific pygmy owl is 15 to 17 cm (5.9 to 6.7 in) long. Males weigh about 60 g (2.1 oz) and females about 65 g (2.3 oz). In addition to being heavier, females also have slightly longer wings and tails than males, but both sexes have the same plumage. The species has gray, brown, and rufous color morphs, with the first two predominating. The upperparts of gray morph adults are grayish brown with buff streaks on the forecrown and buff spots on the crown and nape. An incomplete white "collar" and oval black spots on the neck give the appearance of eyes. The shoulders and back have whitish spots. The tail is also grayish brown, with up to seven whitish bars across it. The throat is white, the sides of the breast grayish brown, and the rest of the underparts whitish with rufuous streaks. The other morphs replace the grayish brown with dark brown or rufous respectively. In addition, the bars on the rufous morph's tail are rusty brown or orange-buff and the streaking on the underparts is more diffuse than on the other two morphs. In all morphs the eye is lemon yellow and the bill and feet yellow-green. Juveniles have essentially the same plumage as adults but their crown has no streaks or spots.
Taxonomy
The Peruvian pygmy owl was first described as a species by Claus König, a German ornithologist, in 1991. Until then it had been treated as a subspecies of the widespread ferruginous pygmy owl (G. brasilianum). König separated the two primarily by their vocal differences; their ranges do not overlap. The Pacific pygmy owl is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Glaucidium peruanum
- Authority
- König, C, 1991
- Order
- Strigiformes
- Family
- Strigidae
- Genus
- Glaucidium
Range and habitat
The Pacific pygmy owl is found on the western slope of the Andes from Manabí, Pichincha, and Los Ríos provinces in north-central Ecuador south through Peru into Chile as far as the Antofagasta Region. It also is found in several semiarid valleys within the western Andes. In Ecuador it usually occurs from sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) of elevation but is locally found as high as 2,400 m (7,900 ft). In Peru it occurs up to 3,300 m (10,800 ft) and in Chile up to 3,500 m (11,500 ft). The species inhabits a variety of moist to arid landscapes including deciduous and riparian forest, arid lowland and montane scrublands, agricultural areas with large trees, and gardens in built-up areas.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tablas Drongo
Dicrurus menagei
A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of forest canopy on Tablas, where it is the only drongo in range. Entirely black with glossy-blue wings, crown, and streaks on the neck and chest. Similar to Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo but larger, with a thicker bill and a strongly forked tail with upturned tips. Not as vocal as other drongos. Voice includes a grating scold followed by a loud, high-pitched whistle.
Nimba Flycatcher
Melaenornis annamarulae
A rainforest flycatcher that is completely dark gray. Found very locally in the canopy and upper middle levels of lowland rainforest. Often in pairs or small groups. Usually sits upright, sometimes motionless for long periods. Makes short flights to catch insects, and also feeds by running along branches with a more horizontal posture. Most likely to be confused with Shining Drongo, but less blackish, without glossy highlights, and much smaller-billed.
Gray-hooded Warbler
Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
Delicately beautiful small warbler with a greenish back, lemon-yellow underparts, a cinder-gray head, and bright white eyebrow stripes. Somewhat similar to Yellow-bellied Warbler, but note yellow instead of white throat. Forages actively in the upper levels of broadleaf and mixed montane forest, often in open patches. Sometimes descends to lower elevations in the non-breeding season, often turning up in foothill forest edges and gardens. Song is a high-pitched “tchi-tchi-cheeseewee-cheeseewee.” Calls are high, thin double notes.
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