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Flammulated Owl

Otus flammeolusOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)

Breeding Location:

Mountains, Forest



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Widespread, Common in range



Egg Color:

White to creamy white



Number of Eggs:

2 - 4



Incubation Days:

21 - 26



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Old woodpecker hole, no lining.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Flammulated Owl: Small owl with two color morphs (gray-brown and rufous) with many intermediate forms. The head has very small ear tufts, and dark eyes surrounded by rust-brown, pale-gray facial disk, and white eyebrows that start at the bill. It is the only small owl with dark, not yellow, eyes.

Range and Habitat

Flammulated Owl: Breeds in western U.S. and spends winters in central and southern Mexico as far south as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Prefers montane forests supporting aspen, ponderosa, and Jeffrey Pines.

Breeding and Nesting

Flammulated Owl: Two to four white to creamy white eggs are laid in an old woodpecker hole or natural tree cavity; artificial nest boxes are sometimes used. Female incubates eggs for 21 to 24 days; male brings her food on the nest. Young fledge at 21 to 25 days old.

Foraging and Feeding

Flammulated Owl: Eats insects and other arthropods almost exclusively, including moths, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, and scorpions. Prey is taken on the ground, from foliage, and in mid-air.

Vocalization

Flammulated Owl: "Boop, boop, boop" is given softly and slowly at approximately two-second intervals, with emphasis on the second note.

Similar Species

Flammulated Owl: Eastern and Western Screech-Owls are larger, have yellow eyes, and lack rust-brown shoulder patches.

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Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Otus flammeolus
Length6 - 7 Inches
Wingspan13 Inches

Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl: Small owl with two color morphs (gray-brown and rufous) with many intermediate forms. The head has very small ear tufts, and dark eyes surrounded by rust-brown, pale-gray facial disk, and white eyebrows that start at the bill. It is the only small owl with dark, not yellow, eyes.

● Song: "boo-BOOT"

● Foraging & Feeding: Flammulated Owl: Eats insects and other arthropods almost exclusively, including moths, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, and scorpions. Prey is taken on the ground, from foliage, and in mid-air.

● Breeding & nesting: Flammulated Owl: Two to four white to creamy white eggs are laid in an old woodpecker hole or natural tree cavity; artificial nest boxes are sometimes used. Female incubates eggs for 21 to 24 days; male brings her food on the nest. Young fledge at 21 to 25 days old.

● Similar species: Flammulated Owl: Eastern and Western Screech-Owls are larger, have yellow eyes, and lack rust-brown shoulder patches.

Flight Pattern

Slow light steady wing beats.
Flammulated Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Flammulated Owl: Breeds in western U.S. and spends winters in central and southern Mexico as far south as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Prefers montane forests supporting aspen, ponderosa, and Jeffrey Pines.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationWidespread, Common in range
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.9 Ounces