The Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) is a very small earless (no ear tufts) brown owl (7 inches) marked with sharply streaked flanks and a rather long barred tail. It has fine white speckles on the head and sharp streaks on a white belly. It has yellow eyes and bill. There are dark eyespots on the back of the head.

This bird hunts by day. Its call is a series of mellow whistles. Keen eyesight and noiseless flight enable the Pygmy Owl to prey on small birds, rodents, insects and lizards. It is a permanent resident throughout its range.

The female lays 3-5 white unmarked eggs. The eggs are incubated for about 28 days. The fledging period is around 28 days, during which time the young are fed by both parents. They continue to be fed by the adults for several weeks after they leave the nest, which is found in the hollow of a tree (8-25 feet up), cranny, nook or building. This little owl is quite common in montane forests of western North America and is found among coniferous or mixed woods. They move to lower elevations in the winter.

Find the Folkmanis Pygmy Owl Hand Puppet, shown at top, at the Jeannie's Cottage Gift Shop.

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