Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl

Flammulated scops owl, Flammulated screech owl, Dwarf owl

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Psiloscops flammeolus
Population size
5.5-37 Thou
Life Span
7-8 years
Weight
50-65
1.8-2.3
goz
g oz 
Length
15-17
5.9-6.7
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
36
14
cminch
cm inch 

The flammulated owl (Psiloscops flammeolus ) is a small migratory North American owl in the family Strigidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Psiloscops.

No

Nocturnal

Ca

Carnivore

In

Insectivores

Ar

Arboreal

Pu

Pursuit predator

Am

Ambush predator

Al

Altricial

Te

Terrestrial

Mo

Monogamy

So

Social

Mi

Migrating

F

starts with

Appearance

Flammulated owls are small, nocturnal birds found in the Americas. Males and females look alike and can be distinguished only by their weight. These owls get the name flammulated from the flame-like markings on their face and can be either reddish or grayish in color; this depends on where in North America they live.

Distribution

Geography

Flammulated owls breed from southern British Columbia and the western United States to central Mexico. Unlike many owls, they are migratory and spend the winter in northern Central America, from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Flammulated owls prefer open coniferous mountain forest, especially ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, and can also be found breeding in deciduous forests with some conifers present.

Flammulated Owl habitat map

Climate zones

Flammulated Owl habitat map
Flammulated Owl
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Habits and Lifestyle

Flammulated owls are migratory birds that live in pairs. They winter south of the United States, but also in South Texas, Arizona, and California. They usually leave in August and head to their wintering areas and in late April and early May return to their breeding grounds. Flammulated owls are active during the night, however, most of the hunting is done at dawn and dusk. They hunt by sight and capture their prey in flight, among foliage or at the ground. Although Flammulated owls are difficult to see due to their secretive lifestyle and camouflage, they can often be heard especially in late spring and early summer. Their main call is a series of relatively deep, single, or double hoots.

Group name
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Flammulated owls are carnivores (insectivores). They feed almost entirely on insects but very occasionally eat small mammals such as shrews and other small rodents.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
spring
INCUBATION PERIOD
26 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
25-32 days
BABY NAME
owlet, fledgling
web.animal_clutch_size
2-4 eggs

Flammulated owls are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. Breeding usually occurs in spring. These birds nest in tree cavities females usually select cavities that used to be woodpecker or northern flicker nests. Their nests are bare and have no nesting material. Breeding pairs tend to have one clutch of eggs annually; they have 2 to 4 owlets at a time after a 26-day incubation period. The young are able to forage for their own prey after about 25-32 days. Like other raptors, Flammulated owls can live long and have high nesting success, and during the nesting period, the females rely on the males to forage for them.

Population

Population threats

Flammulated owls are not considered threatened at present but populations may be declining in some areas due to ongoing habitat destruction.

Population number

According to the What Bird resource, the total population size of the Flammulated owl is around 37,000 individuals. According to the All About Birds resource the total breeding population size of the species is 5,500 individuals. Currently, Flammulated owls are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but their numbers today are decreasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The Flammulated owl was first discovered in 1852.
  • When disturbed, Flammulated owls make sounds that resemble the meowing of a kitten.
  • Flammulated owls have developed a series of adaptations that help them to escape predators or remain unnoticed. One of such interesting adaptations is that when these owls spot a person, they sing more quietly, making it sound as if they are far away.
  • During the day, Flammulated owls tend to roost close to the tree trunk; this way they are well camouflaged and resemble a broken branch.
  • With such large wings for a small body, Flammulated owls can achieve high speeds chasing after prey and also fly rapidly from tree to tree.

References

1. Flammulated Owl on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flammulated_owl
2. Flammulated Owl on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22688637/93203659
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/613540

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