Abstract
Abstract Pygmy owls of the genus Glaucidium prey on large insect and small vertebrates, mostly birds. Among the birds preyed on by pygmy owls are hummingbirds, caught mostly while mobbing these owlets or when still at nestling stage. I report here on the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) snatching flower-visiting hummingbirds in an orchard at a farm in southwestern Brazil. I recorded one White-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus guainumbi) and three Gilded Hummingbirds (Hylocharis chrysura) preyed on by this owlet on three consecutive days. The large concentration of flowers and, consequently, of hummingbirds in the orchard likely contributed to the hunting success of the owlet on such fleeting and quickly moving prey. The role this pygmy owl plays on predation of adult hummingbirds in the Neotropics merits closer consideration.
Highlights
Pygmy owls of the genus Glaucidium prey on large insects and small vertebrates, mostly birds (König et al 1999, Marks et al 1999)
I am unaware of records of pygmy owls hunting hummingbirds on the wing, except for a brief mention in Scholtz (2001)
Digital photos of the owl, the hummingbirds, and the predation events are housed as vouchers in the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (ZUEC)
Summary
Pygmy owls of the genus Glaucidium prey on large insects and small vertebrates, mostly birds (König et al 1999, Marks et al 1999). Among the birds preyed on by pygmy owls are hummingbirds, caught mostly while mobbing these owlets or when still at nestling stage I report here on the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) snatching flower-visiting hummingbirds at a farm in South-western Brazil.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
