Austral pygmy owl

Appearance

The austral pygmy owl is 17 to 21 cm long. Males weigh 56 to 75 g and females 70 to 100 g. It has gray-brown and red morphs and intergrades between them. Adults of both morphs have a pale grayish brown face with dark flecks, whitish "brows" over pale yellow eyes, and black "false eyes" on the nape. The gray-brown morph's upperparts are dark grayish brown with whitish dots of variable size and shape. The tail is also dark grayish brown with narrow buffy bars. The throat is white, the sides of the upper breast dark grayish brown, and the underparts off-white with dark grayish brown streaks. The red morph has a similar pattern but reddish brown replaces the dark grayish brown.

Distribution

The austral pygmy owl is found from approximately Valparaíso Province in Chile and Neuquén Province in western Argentina south to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. In Chile it ranges in elevation from sea level to 2,000 m.

Status

The IUCN has assessed the austral pygmy owl as being of Least Concern. Though its population has not been quantified, the species is "reported to be the most abundant owl in Chile". In agricultural areas it is persecuted because its nocturnal calls are interpreted as an ill omen.

Habitat

It inhabits a variety of landscapes from city parks and farmland with scattered trees to deciduous forests and thickets, evergreen shrublands, temperate and southern beech forests, and Patagonian scrub/steppe.

Reproduction

The austral pygmy owl usually nests in a tree cavity but has also been documented using holes in earthen banks. They lay a clutch of three to five eggs between September and November, and the female alone incubates them.

Food

The austral pygmy owl is primarily diurnal but is also active at night. It is a solitary hunter that sallies from perches to capture insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles. It has been documented taking birds almost double its own weight.