Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl
Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl
The Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl ( Glaucidium nubicola ) is a small owl species of the genus Sperlingskäuze. It is found only in South America. The species has been described scientifically in 1999.
Appearance
The Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl reaches a height of about 16 centimeters and is built relatively strong. Ear tufts are missing. The tail is relatively short, head and back are brown. The apex and the sides of the head are mottled fine white. The face veil is missing a conspicuous limiting edge. He is brown with concentric lines. In the neck, the Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl on a Occipitalgesicht.
The Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, which partly occurs in the same habitat as the Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl has, from the throat to the chest center a bright plumage coloration without dark markings. The Gnomish Pygmy Owl has a nördlicheres distribution and is long-tailed. The Andean Pygmy Owl and Peru are also long-tailed pygmy. The screech owl species in the same habitat are significantly larger and have ear tufts.
Area of distribution and habitat
The distribution area of cloud forest Sperlingskauzes are the cloud forests on the Pacific coast of Colombia to the west of Ecuador. Perhaps the species occurs also in northern Peru. It is a state bird that lives only in the damp primary forests on the steep slopes of the Andes. It occurs at altitudes 1400-2000 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl is diurnal and crepuscular. It is relatively frequent hated by other small birds. Its diet consists mainly of insects. About the reproductive biology of this species is so far only little is known. Presumably it breeds in the period from February to June.