Hands up if you thought this hidden (or at least hiding) gem was a Pearl Spotted Owl? Wrong! This is the Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju). We found him(?) in a mountain forest with heavy subtropical vegetation. He didn’t mind us observing his position from quite close up, and kept his eyes fixed in our direction with his head following our movements. Sadly the vegetation did not allow us to get into a place where we could see him without the tree branch crossing, and considering the poor light, this was the best shot we could get.
We did hear his call, and were not surprised to find that it somewhat resembled the Pearl Spotted Owl, leading us to imagine some familial relationship. But they are exclusively found in Cuba.
The internet search on this owl did not give up a massive amount of useful information, except that the owl (perhaps owlet) nests in old woodpecker holes, and is the most common owl in Cuba. One more for the life list.
