Cuban Pygmy Owl
Cuba - pygmy owl ( Glaucidium siju )
The Cuba - pygmy owl ( Glaucidium siju ) is a small owl species of the genus Sperlingskäuze. The little hand - lengths large owl comes in two subspecies exclusively in the Caribbean.
Appearance
The Cuba - pygmy reaches a height of about 17 centimeters. The head is rounded, and ear tufts are entirely absent. The wax skin around the nostrils is a little less striking than is the case with other American Sperlingskäuzen. The eyebrows are white. The face veil has indistinct concentric brown and whitish lines.
In the neck of the Cuba - pygmy owl, like all types of Sperlingskäuze a Occipitalgesicht. The crest has pale small spots. The jacket and the back are striated. The front chest also has horizontal stripes. The flanks and lower breast are mottled brownish to ocher; However, a small region of the throat to the front chest is without darker markings. The tail has five to six pale stripes. The eyes are yellow.
In the area of distribution of the Cuba - Sperlingskauzes is no other Sperlingskauzart. The Cuban Screech Owl is with a body length of 20 to 23 cm is slightly larger and has featherless, long runs, and normally brown eyes. The rabbit owl is significantly larger than the Cuba - pygmy.
Area of distribution and habitat
The Cuba - pygmy owl is endemic to the islands of Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. It is populated with mature trees and shrub land a state bird, the semi-open forests, forests in the coastal region, mountain forests, forest edges, plantations and large parks. The altitudinal distribution ranges from sea level to altitudes of about 1,500 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The Cuba - pygmy owl is similar to a number of other Sperlingskäuze partly diurnal. It is therefore often hated by songbirds. Its diet consists mainly of insects and small reptiles. A lower proportion in its range of prey make small mammals and birds. His loot he acquired mainly by stand hunting.
Very little is known about the reproductive biology of this owl. She uses mainly old woodpecker holes as nesting site. The breeding season usually falls in the dry season. The nest consists of three to four white eggs. It broods alone the female.