Documentation of
Northern Pygmy-Owl
2012-231
Observer Information
Reporter:
Ray Sperger
E-mail:
Other Observers:
17 other extended family members saw this bird, 14 of which saw it through my spotting scope including my wife Erin Sperger;
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Northern Pygmy-Owl
First Date/Time:
10/20/2012
Last Date/Time:
Duration (total time in view):
2.5 HOURS
County:
Larimer
Specific Location:
6399 Hwy 36
Number:
1
Age:
Unknown
Sex:
Unknown
Plumage:
Other/Unknown
Habitat
mixed coniferous forest, Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Douglas Fir with openings around the house
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
8 x 40 binoculars, 15 to 60 power Bushnell spotting scope
Distance:
50 ft estimate
Light:
varied though out the observation, generally the lighting was from the s and w of the bird and I was observing from the south and east of the bird. Sun was on the bird part of the time and at times the bird was in the shade of the tree branches
Description of the Bird
7 inch long bird that I watched with a spotting scope for over two hours perched in a tree about 50 feet away. dark brown tail with white bars. White breast Streaked with brown marks. Yellow eyes with white spots surrounding the eyes. white spots on head with two prominent dorsal blackish eye spots.
Behaviors: Flew in to perch. Sat and waited for prey for 1.5 hours, moved to a branch about 6 feet away in a neighboring tree and sat and waited looking for prey for about one hour more in the mid to late afternoon.
Sat. Oct. 20
Call: none
Plumage: Adult Rockies type
Similar Species Discussion
No ear tufts, white spots in face, white barring in tail
Resources Used
National Geographic Guide
Previous Experience
40 years of birding, owning, seen this species before
Materials Available
No files uploaded.
Date Documentation Submitted
10/26/2012 10:22:00 PM