Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl

Psiloscops flammeolus · Owls

The Flammulated Owl is a tiny, highly migratory owl of western North America, often compared in size to an American Robin. This nocturnal species is challenging to observe due to its excellent camouflage and preference for foraging high in large trees. Its distinctive, low-pitched hoot is often the most reliable way to detect its presence in dense forests.

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MigratorySmallInsectivorousCavity nester
1 call·first heard Oct 20·last 7d ago
When it's heardpeak 4a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
  • A very small, plump owl with a relatively rectangular head shape and short ear tufts that often lie flat.
  • Overall gray or brownish-gray with dark streaks and crossbars, often with rufous (flame-like) coloration, especially on the face and shoulders.
  • Possesses distinctively dark brown eyes, a key feature that distinguishes it from other small North American owls.
  • Features an incomplete brownish-gray facial disk that begins at the ears and ends at the mustache.

Often heard alongside