Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) is one of three subspecies of the ferruginous pygmy-owl. They have longer tails then most owls, are reddish-brown with a cream colored belly, have a crown that is slightly streaked, yellow eyes and no ear tufts.
The cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl can be found in the desert habitat of southern Arizona (Sonora Desert) along with other parts of the southwestern United States, and northwestern Mexico. The owl prefers desert scrub thickets, trees and cacti large enough to provide nesting cavities. In the Sonoran desert scrub, the owl can be found in ironwood, palo verde, mesquite, acacia, and columnar cactus such as saguaro and organ pipe. The vegetation shields the pygmy owl from larger predators such as the great horned owls, Cooper's hawks, bullsnakes, and raccoons. In addition, the brush provides good cover for some of the pygmy-owls favorite meals small birds, lizards, insects, small mammals, frogs and earthworms. The pygmy owl is a fierce hunter who can kill prey up to twice its size. It is partly nocturnal (meaning it is active during the night) and diurnal (meaning it is active during the day).
Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls do not migrate. In late winter or early spring cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls begin nesting in the cavities of trees or holes of the saguaro and organ pipe cacti, these holes often made and left by woodpeckers. The 3-5 eggs are laid in the late AprilMay. The eggs are incubated and hatch about 28 days later. The male provides the food while the female tears and feeds the hatchlings. Young fledge (leave the nest) about 27-30 days after hatching and stay close to their parents for about 8 more weeks.
Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is part federal endangered species act since 1997. The species was listed due the species decline. The Cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is threatened by habitat loss, particularly the loss Arizona’s riparian areas.
