Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium Siju), the most frequently observed owl in Cuba

Scientific name: Glaucidium siju
Common name (english): Cuban Pygmy Owl
Common name (spanish): Sijú Platanero

The Cuban Pygmy Owl, endemic to Cuba, is the commonest owl of the island. It is not only nocturnal as most of the owls but also diurnal.

Its habitat is almost the whole Cuba, living in all kind of forest from sea level to mountains.

They generally breed in tree holes, natural or made by the famous woodpecker.

It is a small and compact owl (17cm), brown above with small white dots and white below with mottled brown. Its eyes are yellow as its beak and feet. Most of the time, the legs are cover with feathers.

It exists 3 sub-species: the one describe above; the Glaucidium siju vittatum living in Isla de la Juventud and in the Peninsula de Guanahacabibes; and finally the Glaucidium siju turquinensis found in Turquino national park.

Their meals are generally composed of small reptiles, small birds and insects.