Aegolius ridgwayi
The Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (*Aegolius ridgwayi*) is a diminutive and enigmatic nocturnal raptor, measuring approximately 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in) in length with a wingspan of about 40-42 cm (15.7-16.5 in) and weighing 50-70g (1.8-2.5 oz). Its plumage is predominantly a rich brownish-rufous above, transitioning to a paler rufous-buff below with distinct streaking on the flanks. A key diagnostic feature, and the origin of its common name, is its plain, unspotted head and nape, setting it apart fro...
This owl primarily inhabits cool, moist montane evergreen forests, including cloud forests and pine-oak woodlands, typically at elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 3,000 meters (4,000-10,000+ ft). It prefers areas with dense undergrowth and abundant tree cavities for nesting and roosting.
Its diet primarily consists of large insects such as moths, beetles, and crickets, supplemented by small mammals like mice and shrews, as well as small birds, frogs, and lizards. It hunts primarily by swooping from a low perch.
The Unspotted Saw-whet Owl is strictly nocturnal and crepuscular, spending its days roosting quietly and well-camouflaged in dense foliage, often near the trunk of a tree. Its primary foraging strategy is the classic 'perch-and-pounce,' where it waits on a low branch before swooping down onto uns...
The Unspotted Saw-whet Owl is a resident species distributed across the mountainous regions of southern Mexico and Central America. Its range extends from the highlands of Oaxaca and Chiapas in southern Mexico, south through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and into wester...
Least Concern
- The Unspotted Saw-whet Owl is the smallest owl species found throughout much of its Central American range. - Its distinctive unspotted head and nape are the key features that differentiate it from its closest relatives. - It is notoriously difficult to locate due to its small size, cryptic plu...