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Glaucidium gnoma

Wagler, 1832

Northern Pygmy-Owl

G4Apparently Secure (G4G5) Found in 136 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100316
Element CodeABNSB08010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix II
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyStrigidae
GenusGlaucidium
Other Common Names
Chevêchette naine (FR) Tecolote Serrano (ES)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
The taxa californicum, cobanense, and hoskinsii are treated as conspecific with Glaucidium gnoma. Variation in song appears to be clinal in some areas, and genetic data are limited to mitochondrial DNA from gnoma and californicum (Wink and Heidrich 1999); formal bioacoustic analysis and comprehensive genetic review would be informative (AviList 2025). Also see Deshler (2023) for the taxonomic history of Glaucidium gnoma.

Composed of three groups according to AOU (1998): californicum of U.S. and Canada; gnoma of Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras; and hoskinsii of southern Baja California. Some consider hoskinsii to be a distinct species (Howell and Webb 1995, König et al. 1999, Robbins and Stiles 1999). As of early 2023, there are 3 subspecies (swarthi, californicum, grinnelli) in the californicum Group (Clements 2022).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-07
Change Date2009-03-19
Edition Date2009-03-19
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000 to >2,500,000 square km (about 80,000 to >1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Rank Reasons
Still widespread in suitable habitat in western North America and portions of Middle America; no significant declines detected, but trends are poorly documented; adversely affected by logging practices that reduce nesting trees and impact foraging habitat.
Range Extent Comments
This species is resident from southeast Alaska, portions of northern British Columbia, and southwestern Alberta south through the western United States, interior Mexico, and Guatemala to Honduras, and east to Colorado, central New Mexico, and western Texas; also in Cape district of Baja California Sur, Mexico (AOU 1998, Holt and Petersen 2000).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by a large number of occurrences (subpopulations).
Threat Impact Comments
This species may be threatened by certain logging practices that remove older trees and snags (Marshall 1988, Holt and Petersen 2000). Habitat changes (e.g., dense successional forests following logging) that reduce hunting habitat or populations of avian prey or primary nest excavators (woodpeckers) would also threaten this species (Holt and Petersen 2000).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Habitat consist of forests or open woodlands in foothills and mountains, including adjacent meadows while foraging (AOU 1983). Specific nesting habitat is variable across the large range; pure and mixed species coniferous forests, mixed coniferous-deciduous riparian forests, aspen stands in pine forests, and highland pine and cloud forests (Honduras) (Holt and Petersen 2000). Generally this owl does not occur in unbroken dense forest. Nests are in abandoned woodpecker holes and natural tree cavities in snags and larger living trees.

Ecology

These owls tend to be solitary or in highly dispersed pairs or family groups throughout the year (Johnsgard 1988).

They are often mobbed, by a large number of bird species ranging from hummingbirds to jays--most of which are potential prey (Holt and Petersen 2000). Occasionally, mobbing individuals are attacked and killed (Holman 1926, R.J. Cannings pers. comm.).

Reproduction

Few nests have been studied. Egg dates: in North America from early April to mid-June; peak in late April to late May (Holt and Petersen 2000). Clutch size reportedly is 2-7 in North America (Holt and Petersen 2000); mean size reported to be 5 (n = 6, Bent 1938) and 3.7 (n = 10, Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology nest record cards). Incubation, by female, lasts probably about 28 days (Holt and Norton 1986); male brings food. After 9 days of age, young are fed by both parents, leave nest at about 23 days (Holt and Norton 1986).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedForest EdgeWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS4B,S4NYes
NevadaS4Yes
MontanaS4Yes
ArizonaS4Yes
Navajo NationS4Yes
OregonS4Yes
IdahoS3Yes
New MexicoS4B,S4NYes
ColoradoS3BYes
AlaskaS3Yes
WyomingS1Yes
UtahS3Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
CanadaN4
ProvinceRankNative
Yukon TerritoryS1Yes
AlbertaS3Yes
British ColumbiaS4BYes
SaskatchewanSNAYes
Roadless Areas (136)
Alaska (5)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
Green RocksTongass National Forest11,093
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
Arizona (3)
AreaForestAcres
ChiricahuaCoronado National Forest76,876
GaliuroCoronado National Forest28,333
Hot AirApache-Sitgreaves National Forests31,712
California (39)
AreaForestAcres
AgnewSequoia National Forest9,561
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Big RocksLos Padres National Forest11,866
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Coyote NorthInyo National Forest11,932
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
La BreaLos Padres National Forest14,031
LavasModoc National Forest25,864
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Machesna MountainLos Padres National Forest12,271
MayfieldLassen National Forest14,444
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
Mt. Shasta BShasta-Trinity National Forest2,809
North Fork Middle Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest11,245
North MountainStanislaus National Forest7,856
Orleans Mtn. BSix Rivers National Forest17,183
ParsnipModoc National Forest8,485
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San JoaquinSierra National Forest22,474
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
SinkardHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,004
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
Thomes CreekMendocino National Forest16,616
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
Wild Horse Mtn. (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest28,822
Colorado (2)
AreaForestAcres
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
Montana (11)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Huckleberry Mountain #699Kootenai National Forest8,965
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Middle Mtn. / Tobacco RootsBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest96,487
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
Nevada (3)
AreaForestAcres
Aurora CraterHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,689
Snake - Big WashHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,146
Snake - ChokecherryHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest30,845
New Mexico (9)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Cruces BasinCarson National Forest5,244
NolanGila National Forest13,051
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
Oregon (23)
AreaForestAcres
BuckhornWallowa-Whitman National Forest17,180
Drift CreekSiuslaw National Forest6,333
ElkhornWillamette National Forest9,380
Grande RondeUmatilla National Forest12,296
Hebo 1aSiuslaw National Forest13,930
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Jaussaud CorralUmatilla National Forest5,535
Joseph CanyonWallowa-Whitman National Forest24,288
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Little SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,238
LookingglassUmatilla National Forest4,859
Metolius BreaksDeschutes National Forest11,141
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Rock CreekOchoco National Forest11,396
SkookumUmatilla National Forest7,704
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
Texas ButteUmatilla National Forest6,871
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Williams CreekUmpqua National Forest5,844
Utah (14)
AreaForestAcres
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418024Uinta National Forest51,699
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418026Uinta National Forest14,038
418027Uinta National Forest13,884
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Washington (21)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonOkanogan National Forest9,681
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Harvey CreekColville National Forest10,140
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest4,692
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Wyoming (5)
AreaForestAcres
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
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