Northern Pygmy-Owl

Overview
Northern Pygmy-Owl: Small owl, upperparts and sides range from brown to white-spotted gray-brown or gray. White underparts have brown stripes. Head is brown or gray with white spots; no ear tufts. Yellow eyes have white eyebrows. White-bordered black spots on back of head resemble a pair of eyes.

Range and Habitat
Northern Pygmy-Owl: Resident on the Pacific coast from southern Alaska to Central America; also found in the Rocky Mountains. Preferred habitats include open coniferous and mixed forests, open fields, wetlands, and logged areas.

The Northern Pygmy-Owl has a large range, encompassing Guatemala, Honduras, Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This bird prefers subtropical or tropical forest ecosystems as well as dry savannas and permanent freshwater lakes. The global population of this bird is unknown, as it was not recognized by the IUCN until recently, but does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Northern Pygmy-Owl is Least Concern.

INTERESTING FACTS
The Northern Pygmy-Owl has also been called Pygmy Owl, Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl, Vancouver Pygmy Owl, California Pygmy Owl, and Dwarf Owl. They can carry prey weighing more than twice their own weight. They often eat only the brains of birds and the soft abdomen of insects. Unlike other North American owls, they begin incubation only after their clutch is complete, so the young tend to hatch over a period of 1 to 2 days, rather than one every 1 to 2 days. A group of owls has many collective nouns, including a "bazaar", "glaring", "parliament", "stooping", and "wisdom" of owls.