Birds
Austral Pygmy-owl
Glaucidium nano
Hunting boldly in broad daylight rather than under cover of night, an austral pygmy-owl carries false eye markings on the back of its head, a curious defence that may confuse small birds attempting to mob it from behind.
Overview
The austral pygmy-owl, Glaucidium nano, is a Least Concern bird native to forest and grassland habitat across southern Chile and Argentina. Its unusual daytime hunting habit, its false eye markings, and its small size relative to other regional owls make it one of the more behaviourally distinctive owls found anywhere in southern South America.
An owl that hunts by daylight
While most owls remain hidden until dusk, the austral pygmy-owl instead hunts openly during the day, a habit that regularly draws the attention of small songbirds eager to mob a predator they can actually see coming.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable forest and grassland habitat in southern Chile and Argentina.
Austral Pygmy-owl: common questions
Why is the austral pygmy-owl unusual among owls?
This species hunts primarily during daylight hours, unlike most owl species, which are active mainly at night or twilight, making it one of the more unusual owls to observe.
What are the false eye markings on the austral pygmy-owl for?
This species has false eye-like markings on the back of its head, a feature that may confuse small birds attempting to mob it from behind while it faces forward.
Why do small birds mob the austral pygmy-owl?
This species is frequently mobbed by small songbirds that have identified it as a predator, a defensive behaviour that sometimes draws more attention to the owl's presence than its own calls would.
How big is the austral pygmy-owl?
This species is one of the smaller owl species found in the region, considerably smaller than the Magellanic horned owl, which shares similar forest and grassland habitat.