Birds of the World
 - Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
 - Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
+4
 - Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
Watch
 - Peruvian Pygmy-Owl
Listen

Peruvian Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium peruanum Scientific name definitions

Thomas S. Schulenberg and Hope Batcheller
Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020
Text last updated April 27, 2012

Sign in to see your badges

Originally Appeared in

Full content is available exclusively to Birds of the World subscribers. Sign in Learn more

Introduction

The Peruvian Pygmy-Owl (also known as the Pacific Pygmy-Owl) is distinctive as it is the only pygmy-owl occurring in the lowlands on the west slope of the Andes. In intermontane valleys, where its range overlaps that of Yungas Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium bolivianum), it is best separated by its vocalizations and preference for dryer habitats. Peruvian Pygmy-Owls commonly hunting diurnally in dry forest and scrub, and frequently inhabit settled areas. Lowland birds are generally more rufous-colored than those occurring at higher elevations, having a paler, more cinnamon-colored appearance. The high-elevation birds tend to be darker gray or brown, with more extensive white spotting throughout. Peruvian Pygmy-Owl was confused until recently with the widespread Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum), but the rapid whistled song of Peruvian Pygmy-Owl is very different from the slower toots of Ferruginous.

Distribution of the Peruvian Pygmy-Owl - Range Map
Enlarge
  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the Peruvian Pygmy-Owl

Recommended Citation

Schulenberg, T. S. and H. Batcheller (2020). Peruvian Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium peruanum), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pepowl1.01
Birds of the World

Partnerships

A global alliance of nature organizations working to document the natural history of all bird species at an unprecedented scale.