Northern Pygmy-Owl Photo Gallery
Small and compact, with a large, circular head without ear tufts. Brown overall with fine white speckles on the head and white spots on the back. Note yellow eyes and bill.
© Blair Dudeck | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, April 17, 2020Individuals along the wet Pacific slope are darker brown overall and give slower single toots.
© Eric Heisey | Macaulay LibraryWashington, January 28, 2017Hunts during the day and is often mobbed by other songbirds, which often makes seeing them easier.
© Gregory Griffith | Macaulay LibraryColorado, July 01, 1995Not all videos have soundReddish color morphs are rusty-colored throughout with a spotted crown.
© Herb Elliott | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 03, 2019Small, compact owl with a round head and no ear tufts. Plumage varies from gray brown to brown to reddish, with darker individuals along the wet Pacific slope.
© Jerry McFetridge | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, October 22, 2019Song is a series of high, hollow toots spaced 1-2 seconds apart. Individuals in the interior tend to be more gray brown and often gives toots in pairs.
© Gregory Griffith | Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 1995Not all videos have soundIndividuals in the interior tend to be more gray brown and often gives toots in pairs. Note tiny white spots on crown and narrowly striped tail.
© Mike Hearell | Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 29, 2016Small owl with a round head. Brown overall with white spots on the back and two spots on the back of the head that look like eyes.
© Peter Olsoy | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 31, 2017Small and compact owl without ear tufts. Brown overall with fine white speckles on the head and streaks down the front.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 1994Not all videos have soundFound in montane forests of western North America. Look for them in towns, especially during winter when they move to lower elevations.
© Angel Poe | Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 29, 2017Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
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