Mini Tuesday

Back to Brazil and Mato Grosso do Sul

Finding diurnal owls is always fun, and seeing this Burrowing Owl on the post not only thrilled us but made us laugh. They are so small, but ready to pounce onto prey—grasshoppers and small vertebrates — from their perch.

Behind us, in the trees, we heard an unmistakable rapid tooting and located this Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. Weighing 2.5 ounces, less than an American Robin, they are capable of capturing prey — often birds — over twice their size, like a 6.3 ounce quail!

A duo of fierce feather bundles.

Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia 19-25 cm/7.5-9.8”

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum 14-18 cm/5.5-7”

Pousada Aguapé, Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

September 28, 2025