Cuban pygmy owl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cuban pygmy owl
G. s. siju, Zapata National Park, Cuba
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Strigiformes
Family:	Strigidae
Genus:	Glaucidium
Species:	G. siju
Binomial name
Glaucidium siju (D'Orbigny, 1839)
Distribution of Cuban pygmy owl      Resident
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The Cuban pygmy owl (Glaucidium siju) is a small type of owl that lives only in Cuba. It belongs to the Strigidae family, which includes many kinds of owls. This little owl is quite common and can be found in many different places across the island.

Owl Types: Subspecies of the Cuban Pygmy Owl

Scientists group living things into different types. The Cuban pygmy owl has three main kinds, called subspecies. These are slightly different versions of the same owl. They are named Glaucidium siju siju, G. s. turquinense, and G. s. vittatum.

What Does the Cuban Pygmy Owl Look Like?

The Cuban pygmy owl is about 16 to 17 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. This is roughly the size of a soda can. Male owls weigh between 47 and 68 grams (1.7 to 2.4 ounces). Females are a bit heavier, weighing 66 to 102 grams (2.3 to 3.6 ounces).

These owls can have two different main colors. Some are gray-brown, which is the most common color. Others are a reddish-brown, called rufous.

Both color types have a pale grayish face. They have whitish or cinnamon-colored "eyebrows" above their bright yellow eyes. A cool feature is a pair of dark "false eyes" on the back of their neck. These might help confuse predators.

The gray-brown owls have a grayish-brown head, sides, and back with white spots. Their shoulders have faint dark stripes. Their tail is also grayish-brown with white stripes. Their throat is brown, and their chest and sides are brown with darker stripes. The middle of their chest is white, and the rest of their belly is off-white with dark brown streaks and spots.

The rufous owls look similar, but their gray-brown parts are replaced with cinnamon or reddish-brown.

The subspecies G. s. turquinense is much darker and has fewer spots on its upper body. The G. s. vittatum subspecies is larger than the main type. It also has more clear stripes on its shoulders.

Where Do Cuban Pygmy Owls Live?

The Cuban pygmy owl is the most common owl seen in Cuba. The main subspecies, Glaucidium siju siju, lives all over the main island of Cuba. It is not found on the highest mountain, Pico Turquino.

The subspecies G. s. turquinense lives only on Pico Turquino. The G. s. vittatum subspecies lives on the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Pines). It might also live on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.

These owls live in many different places. They can be found inside and at the edges of forests, including coastal, deciduous, and montane forests. They live in both old, untouched forests and newer, regrowing ones. You can also spot them in areas with scattered trees, like pastures or farms. They even live in large city parks. They can be found from sea level up to about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) high.

How Do Cuban Pygmy Owls Behave?

Hunting and Eating Habits

The Cuban pygmy owl is active both during the day and at night. It hunts by sitting on a perch and watching for prey. While scientists haven't studied their diet in great detail, they seem to eat mostly insects and small reptiles. They also catch small mammals, birds, and frogs.

Nesting and Raising Young

Cuban pygmy owls build their nests during the dry season, which is from November to April. They lay about three or four eggs in a tree hole. This hole might be a natural one or an old nest made by a woodpecker. The female owl sits on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.

Sounds and Calls

The Cuban pygmy owl makes two main sounds. The male owl sings a series of notes that are spaced out evenly. This song sounds similar to the mountain pygmy owl. Both male and female owls make an alarm call. This call is a fast, squeaky series of notes that get faster and higher-pitched.

Conservation Status: Is the Owl Safe?

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Cuban pygmy owl as a species of Least Concern. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. Even though we don't know the exact number of these owls, they are considered fairly common. However, they can be harmed when small areas of woodland are destroyed.

See also

In Spanish: Sijú platanero para niños