Rocky Mountains pygmy owl
| Rocky Mountains pygmy owl | ||||||||||
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Rocky Mountains pygmy owl ( Glaucidium californicum ) |
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| Glaucidium californicum | ||||||||||
| Sclater , 1857 |
The Rocky Mountains pygmy owl or California pygmy owl ( Glaucidium californicum ) is a small species of pygmy owl . It occurs exclusively in North America.
Appearance
The Rocky Mountains pygmy owl reaches a body size of 17 to 19 centimeters. The head is rounded, with a dense white spot. The tail is relatively long, feather ears are missing. He has a very noticeable occipital face . It is very similar to the Eurasian pygmy owl , but it has bristly feathered toes.
It can be confused with the gnome pygmy owl . However, this one is smaller and has a shorter tail.
Distribution area and habitat
The range of the Rocky Mountains pygmy owl is the west of North America. It stretches from British Columbia and the extreme south of Alaska across the Rocky Mountains to California and Arizona . The extent to which it also colonizes mountain regions in the far north of Mexico has not yet been clarified. The species is a resident bird . In the winter months, the northernmost populations only move to lower altitudes. Young birds, however, show a somewhat larger dispersion movement.
Way of life
The Rocky Mountains pygmy owl is partially diurnal. Occasionally he attracts attention because other small birds hate him . The food spectrum is similar to that of the Eurasian pygmy owl, but has a slightly higher proportion of insects, frogs and reptiles. It beats mammals up to the size of a chipmunk and birds up to the size of a crested quail , although both species are about twice the size of the owl . Although the species has been bred several times in captivity, reproductive biology has not been particularly well studied. It breeds in tree hollows. The clutch comprises three to seven eggs. Only the female breeds, and the male provides prey.
supporting documents
Single receipts
literature
- Claus König , Friedhelm Weick: Owls of the World . Christopher Helm, London 2008, ISBN 978-0-7136-6548-2
