East Brazilian pygmy owl
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Glaucidium minutissimum

The East Brazilian pygmy owl (Glaucidium minutissimum ), also known as least pygmy-owl or Sick's pygmy-owl, is a small owl in the typical owl family.

Appearance

It is one of the smallest South American owls, averaging at 55 grams (1.9 oz) and 15 cm (6 in). Wing length can reach 85–91 millimetres (3.3–3.6 in), while the tail can reach a length of 49–54 millimetres (1.9–2.1 in). The head is rounded, with no ear tufts. The pale greyish-brown facial disk is not pronounced and shows some rufous concentric lines. The eyes are yellow, with whitish eyebrows. The upper part of the body is relatively dark, rufous-brown with small white spots. Wings are dark brown and relatively short. The tail is dark brown with five pale bars. The lower part of the body is light gray or white, with reddish-brown stripes. The throat shows a rounded whitish area. The legs are feathered, with bristled and yellowish toes. Claws are horn with dark tips. The beak is yellow-green.

Distribution

Geography

This species has a very large range. It can be found in eastern Brazil, in far eastern Paraguay, in Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.

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It inhabits tropical and subtropical moist evergreen forests and edges as well as open bush canopy.

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East Brazilian pygmy owl habitat map

Biome

East Brazilian pygmy owl habitat map
East Brazilian pygmy owl
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Habits and Lifestyle

The East Brazilian pygmy owl mainly feeds on small insects and sometimes catch small vertebrates. It is active at dusk and dawn, but occasionally hunts during the day. Song of the male is two-four long notes separated by short pasuses.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

References

1. East Brazilian pygmy owl Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Brazilian_pygmy_owl
2. East Brazilian pygmy owl on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22689240/130162980
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/606629

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