The Flammulated Owl is the second smallest, insectivorous, and most migratory owl in North America. It is believed to completely leave for Central America in the winter. Here you will find photos, recordings and a brief field notes section to help identify and enjoy this beautiful owl. A more in depth write up and range map can be found in its natural history page (the Biology link). To jump immediately to any of these sections use the Page Jump Links below.

51K
Uncompahgre Plateau,
Colorado
June 1999

58K
Uncompahgre Plateau,
Colorado
June 1999

55K
Uncompahgre Plateau,
Colorado
June 1999

Primary single hoot advertisement call (male).

Double note, excitement or courtship, call. (A second bird is also in the background calling with an advertisement call.)

Alarm (both sexes) or used by female for soliciting food at nest.

 The Flammulated Owl is quickly recognized with its completely dark brown eyes that are not found in any other small owl.  The sexes are alike in appearance although the male and female can be distinguished by call (the female has a higher pitched whining call). The "ears" are short in comparison with the other members of the genus Otus (Screech-Owls). Color varies from gray and brown (gray phase) to cinnamon-brown (red phase). Bill is gray to bluish often with yellowish tip and edges. Length is 6 3/4" (slightly smaller than a White-crowned Sparrow) which makes this small owl the same size as the Pygmy-Owls. A nocturnal owl that is strictly an insectivore (eats only bugs).