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length 15-18 cm or 6-7 in. Wing span 41 cm or 16 in. This highly
secretive owl is one of the smallest owls in Canada. Mottled grey
markings help this bird to hide in dense Ponderosa Pine mixed forests.
Males and females look alike. Solid dark brown eyes and small ear
tufts. Distinct “flame like” rust red feathers drape over its
shoulders. Moths and flying insects make up most of the birds diet.
This owl is strictly nocturnal. Will nest in loose colonies and prefers
old woodpecker holes a nest site. Call is a single low, mellow hoot
repeated at regular intervals. |
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