Colima pygmy owl
The Colima pygmy owl is a species of owl in the family Strigidae. It is endemic to the western part of Mexico.
Taxonomy and systematics
The International Ornithological Committee treats the Colima pygmy owl as monotypic. However, the Clements taxonomy and Handbook of the Birds of the World recognize three subspecies, the nominate Glaucidium palmarum palmarum, G. p. oberholseri, and G. p. griscomi.
Description
The Colima pygmy owl is long. Male specimens weigh and females are noted as heavier without quantification. The head and back are brown, the wings mostly grayish brown, and the tail a deeper grayish brown. The head has small dull white spots. White spots show along the closed wing and the tail has oval white spots forming bands across it. The face has dull white "eyebrows" and the nape has a pair of dark "eye spots". The underparts are buffy white with wide cinnamon stripes.
Distribution and habitat
The Colima pygmy owl is found in western Mexico from central Sonora south to Oaxaca, ranging from sea level up to in elevation. It inhabits several types of forests including thorn, tropical deciduous, lowland tropical evergreen, and the lower parts of humid montane forests. It is also found in coffee plantations.
Behavior
Feeding
The Colima pygmy owl is primarily nocturnal though it is also active in daytime. It forages in the mid levels of the forest. Little is known about its diet, which is presumed to be large arthropods and small vertebrates.
Breeding
The Colima pygmy owl's breeding phenology is essentially unknown. It is thought to be socially monogamous and is presumed to nest in tree cavities.
Vocalization
The Colima pygmy owl's song is a "hollow hooting... with variable, often increasing, number of notes... up to 24 notes in series."
Status
The IUCN has assessed the Colima pygmy owl as being of Least Concern. Though its population has not been enumerated, the species has been described as fairly common to very common throughout its large range and the population appears to be stable.