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Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)

Terry Spivey, USDA Forest Service

Length: 6-7 in.
Habitat: coniferous and mixed forests; wooded canyons in dry areas
Ecoregions: Rocky Mountains Forest, Sierra-Cascade Forests

The Pigmy Owl is tiny indeed—no bigger than a good-sized-sparrow. It has two distinctive features: a long tail, which is often cocked up at an angle, and two black blotches, or "eyes," on the back of its neck. The species nests in tree holes, usually in evergreen forests. It is brown above with white-edged black spots on nape; white below with dark streaks. The tail is long, barred with white.

The Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) of the Southwest is even tinier and very short-tailed. Another small species, the Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), is found across North America. It gets its name form its raspy call, like a saw being sharpened; unlike most owls, it is seldom heard at night.