- Micrathene whitneyi
Identification
The smallest owl of the US at 13-14 cm (<5 ").
Distribution
Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, plus farther southward in Mexico (especially Baja California).
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 4 subspecies[1]:
- M. w. whitneyi:
- M. w. idonea:
- Southern Texas (lower Rio Grand Valley) to central Mexico
- M. w. sanfordi:
- Lower Baja California (south of latitude 23°40'N)
- M. w. graysoni:
- Formerly Socorro Island (Revillagigedo Island off western Mexico). Extinct
This species is the only member of the genus Micrathene.
Habitat
Desert, riparian woods, dry areas with a few trees.
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in a woodpecker cavity. The 3 round white eggs are incubated by the female for 21 days. The young fledge at about 10 months.
Diet
The diet includes insects.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Elf Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Elf_Owl
