Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Glaucidium ("small owl") brasilianum ("of Brazil")

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) at Taroles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Glaucidium brasilianum ridgwayi
Weight: 53-79g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: 30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The most widely distributed of all pygmy owls ranging from the US Southern border to Argentina, albeit somewhat patchily. Despite its small size they are versatuke oredators taking almost any prey of appropriate size including birds, lizards, rodents, grasshoppers and scorpions. Across their range, their plumage comes in a range of different morphs from duller dark browns through to russet. The subspecies seen here that is found in Central and North America has been proposed for being split but this has not currently been accepted by any authorities.
 
Related Species: 
Order:  Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Glaucidium

SUBSPECIES: G. b. cactorum, G. b. intermedium, G. b. ridgwayi, G. b. medianum, G. b. margaritae, G. b. phaloenoides, G. b. duidae, G. b. olivaceum, G. b. ucayalae, G. b. brasilianum, G. b. pallens, G. b. stranecki, G. b. tucumanum

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish -  Tecolote Bajeño ("Lowland Owl")

Found in the North West 
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto