Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium californicum)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Northern Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium californicum Sclater, PL, 1857

15–17 cmLength70 gWeight

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

No records at the public birding hotspots we track. It may be rare, remote, or its locations protected.

Questions

How big is the Northern Pygmy Owl?

The Northern Pygmy Owl is about 15–17 cm long and weighs around 70 g.

Where does the Northern Pygmy Owl live?

Its breeding range: North America, Middle America: western North America from southeastern Alaska to northern Mexico.

Is the Northern Pygmy Owl endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Northern Pygmy Owl as Least Concern.

What does the Northern Pygmy Owl eat?

Main food: Vertebrate prey.

What family is the Northern Pygmy Owl in?

It belongs to the family Owls (Strigidae), order Strigiformes.

At a glance

Length
15–17 cm
Weight
70 g
Habitat
Forest
Diet
Vertebrate prey
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Partial migrant
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
94 mm
Tail
68 mm
Bill
13 mm
Tarsus
20 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

North America, Middle America: western North America from southeastern Alaska to northern Mexico

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Family
Owls Strigidae
Genus
Glaucidium

Other birds in the genus Glaucidium

Eurasian Pygmy OwlEurasian Pygmy OwlGlaucidium passerinumPearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted OwletGlaucidium perlatumRed-chested OwletRed-chested OwletGlaucidium tephronotumSjöstedt's Barred OwletSjöstedt's Barred OwletGlaucidium sjostedtiAsian Barred OwletAsian Barred OwletGlaucidium cuculoidesJavan OwletJavan OwletGlaucidium castanopterumJungle OwletJungle OwletGlaucidium radiatumChestnut-backed OwletChestnut-backed OwletGlaucidium castanotumAfrican Barred OwletAfrican Barred OwletGlaucidium capenseAlbertine OwletAlbertine OwletGlaucidium albertinumMountain Pygmy OwlMountain Pygmy OwlGlaucidium gnomaBaja Pygmy OwlBaja Pygmy OwlGlaucidium hoskinsii
Northern Pygmy Owl

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by dplawrance. ↗

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