Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarium

Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarium. Photograph taken in the greater Alamos area, Alamos, Sonora, May 2018. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarium. Photograph taken in the greater Copala area, Copala, Sinaloa, March 2017. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Background and Identification

The Colima Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium palmarium, is an member of the Strigidae family of Owls. This owl is a newly recognized species that was previously classified as a subspecies of the Least Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium minutissimum.  There is very little known about the behavior and biology of this species, although they are thought to be a partially diurnal species. This means that most of their activity occurs during the day, but they are sometimes active at night. Owls are usually nocturnal, meaning they are active and do their hunting at night. The Colima Pygmy Owl nests in tree cavities, often those previously excavated by woodpeckers. They are a territorial species, returning to the same nests year after year. In Mexico, this species is called Tecolotito Colimense.

The Colima Pygmy is a tiny owl. Measuring about 15.0 cm (5.9 inches) to 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) in length, this owl has a round head without ear tufts and a short tail. Its plumage is generally brown with white spots on the crown and nape, which mimic the appearance of false eyes. The underparts are pale with brown streaks, and the eyes are yellow. Males and females appear similar, making it a sexually monomorphic species.

Habitat and Geographical Range

The Colima Pygmy Owl inhabits pine forests, semi-deciduous forests, and coffee plantations. This species favors elevations ranging from sea level to around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet).

This species is ENDEMIC to Mexico. In Mexico, they are found on the west slope, from Sonora south to Oaxaca.

Common Misidentifications

The Colima Pygmy Owl can be confused with other pygmy owl species, such as the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Glaucidium brasilianum, which shares a similar range. However, the Colima Pygmy Owl is generally smaller and has a more restricted range, being confined to specific regions in western Mexico. The Colima Pygmy Owl has a very distinctive call, which can also help distinguish it from other similar species. The call is a series of short, sharp whistles.

Conservation Perspective

From a conservation perspective, the Colima Pygmy Owl is currently considered to be of Least Concern, with stable, widely distributed populations. However, its dependence on specific forest types means that habitat loss has an increased chance of posing a threat to population numbers in the future.