Flammulated Owl Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesFlammulated Owl
Small owl with short, feathered ear tufts and a short tail. Ear tufts often held flat. Dark vertical stripes or dashes down belly with varying amounts of rusty feathers. Note dark eyes.
© Brandon K. Percival / Macaulay LibraryColorado, June 10, 2017© Brad Vissia / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, May 29, 2020
Gray morph
Small owl that gives single-noted hoots that can often be difficult to locate.
© Gregory Griffith / Macaulay LibraryColorado, August 01, 1993Not all videos have sound
© Joachim Bertrands / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 04, 2018
Small owl with short ear tufts that are often held flat. Red morph individuals have more extensive rusty plumage.
© John Cahill xikanel.com / Macaulay LibraryHuehuetenango, May 08, 2016Small owl with a short tail, dark eyes, and small ear tufts that are often held flat. Dark vertical stripes or dashes down belly with varying amounts of rusty colored feathers. Note dark eyes.
© James Kennerley / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, July 16, 2013© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryNew Mexico, May 15, 2018
© Kyle Matera / Macaulay LibraryUtah, June 13, 2020
Similar SpeciesWestern Screech-Owl
Adult
Western Screech-Owls are larger than Flammulated Owls with yellow instead of dark eyes.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 02, 2017Similar SpeciesWhiskered Screech-Owl
Adult
Whiskered Screech-Owls have yellow eyes and Flammulated Owls have dark eyes. They also have a gray facial disc while Flammulated Owls often have a bit of cinnamon on the face.
© Eric van den Berghe / Macaulay LibraryFrancisco Morazán, September 01, 2016Similar SpeciesNorthern Pygmy-Owl
Adult
Northern Pygmy-Owls have yellow eyes, a spotted crown, and no ear tufts while Flammulated Owls have dark eyes, an unspotted crown, and small ear tufts.
© Mike Hearell / Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 29, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
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