BIOLOGY OF THE AUSTRAL PYGMY-OWL
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Date
1989
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Abstract
Scattered information on the Austral Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium nanum), published mostly in Argentine and Chilean journals and books of restricted circulation, is summarized and supplemented with field observations made by the authors. Information presented and discussed includes: taxonomy, morphometry, distribution, habitat, migration, abundance, conservation, reproduction, activity, vocalization, behavior, and diet. The first quantitative assessment of the Austral Pygmy-Owl''s food habits is presented, based on 780 prey items from a single central Chilean locality. Their food is made up of insects (50% by number), mammals (32%), and birds (14%). The biomass contribution, however, is strongly skewed toward small mammals and secondarily toward birds.