Central American Pygmy Owl
Yucatán pygmy owl ( Glaucidium griseiceps ) (right)
The Yucatán pygmy owl ( Glaucidium griseiceps ) is a small owl species of the genus Sperlingskäuze. The species is found only in southern North America and Central America.
Appearance
The Yucatán pygmy reaches a height of about 14 to 16 centimeters. The top of the head and neck are gray -brown, the feathers of the body top, however, strong brown. In the neck, there is a striking Occipitalgesicht. The tail has two to three discontinuous, whitish transverse bands. The underparts are whitish with reddish- brown spots on the chest and reddish brown longitudinal stripes on the flanks.
In the distribution area of the Yucatán Sperlingskauzes several other pygmy owl species occur, with which it can be confused. Both the Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl and the Colima Pygmy Owl have the tail on a larger number of transverse bars. The Gnomish Pygmy Owl is spotted larger and conspicuous on the dorsal side. Also, the Ridgway - pygmy owl is larger than the Yucatán pygmy.
Area of distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Yucatán Sperlingskauzes is the south-eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama. He is a settled state bird, the humid tropical evergreen forests and moist bushland. It also occurs in abandoned plantations with older trees as well as in semi-open, shrub -covered regions. Its altitudinal distribution ranges from sea level to altitudes of 1,300 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The Yucatán pygmy owl is partly diurnal. Its diet consists of insects and small mammals, birds and other vertebrates. Very little is known about the breeding biology of this species.