Habits and Voice
Costa Rican Pygmy Owls hunt from a low perch in dense forest. Waits for small prey, usually birds, lizards or large insects, and then strikes in swift flight. If target is missed, returns to perch rather than pursuing. Like other Pygmy Owls, swishes tail from side to side when agitated.
Calls mainly in early morning, late afternoon and at night with a long, slow song of randomly spaced, clear toots. Sometimes appears to come in groups of 2, sometimes sounds like it comes in groups of 3. When excited, gives a faster, higher series of 5 toots.
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