Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl


Names
Common Name:	Flammulated Owl
Scientific Name:	Psiloscops flammeolus
Appearance
small, greyish-brown with ear tufts, relatively long wings
Behavior
Very similar to Screech Owls and Scops Owls.

The Flammulated Owl is a small North American owl. It was previously in the genus Otus and known as the Flammulated Scops Owl.

Information[]

Description[]

It is a small owl, with a length of 6-7 in (15-17 cm) with females being larger. Females weigh of 2.2-2.3 oz (62-65 g), while males weigh 1.5-1.8 oz (45-52 g). They have a wingspan of 14 in (36 cm). Their feathers are greyish-brown mixed with pale chestnut or rusty brown, the eyes are dark brown, and it has small ear-tufts.

Their main call is a deep woop at 2-3 intervals.

Ecology[]

It lives in open mountain forests, especially with pine, usually mixed with oak or aspen, and bushy undergrowth. A nocturnal bird, it's most active just as it gets dark, or at dawn. In the day, it rests close to tree trunks, as thanks to its camouflage it resembles a tree branch. They live in pairs. They are found in southern British Columbia, the western United States, and central Mexico. Unlike most owls, they are migratory, and winter in Central America.

In series, they seem to be found in the Northern Kingdoms.

Diet[]

They primarily eat nocturnal insects and spiders, but occasionally small mammals like shrews and rodents. Prey is usually caught in the air or among foliage, but sometimes on the ground. With wings that are relatively large for its body, it can rapidly fly from tree to tree.

Reproduction[]

Breeding begins in spring, and several pairs may nest close to each other. They use tree cavities for a nest, but will use nest boxes. 2-4 eggs are laid, with incubation lasting 3-4 weeks. Young leave the nest after about 3-5 weeks.

Trivia[]

The genus name Psiloscops combines the Ancient Greek psilos meaning "naked" or "smooth" with the genus name Scops ("little eared owl").
The species name flammeolus is Latin for "flame-coloured".