By: Jack Anger Hey boys and girls! Have you heard of the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl? I'm here today to tell you all about it! Did you know that they are small enough to be held in your hand? Don't let this fool you, however. These tiny little creatures are fierce hunters and can take on other animals that are over twice their size! Unfortunately, not many of these owls are left because humans are taking over their habitats.  WHO AM I? I am an owl that is small enough to be held in your hand. The females of my species are slightly larger than the males are. Also, I do not migrate, I just find a new home in the Sonoran Desert during the winter months. I like to make a lot of noise during dusk and dawn. I live in Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. I enjoy living in desert-scrub thickets, trees, and large cacti. I often occupy the holes in large trees and cacti that have been formed from woodpeckers. I like areas with lots of trees and cacti that are large enough for me to build my nest in.  I am a fierce hunter that can kill doves that are up to twice my size. I prey on many different species including birds, lizards, frogs, small rodents, insects, and earthworms. I prefer to hunt during the day and I hunt whatever is available to me at the moment. HOW DO I LOOK? The feathers on my back are creamy brown while my underbelly is cream colored with reddish brown stripes. The top of my head is streaked and I have yellow eyes. My tail is longer than most owl’s tails. HOW DO I REPRODUCE? My nesting activity begins in late winter to early spring. The females of my species lay three to five eggs in late April which hatch about 28 days later. The baby owls leave the nest about a month after they hatch and are fed by their parents. They stay close to their parents until they are ready to be on their own.  FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
My future is in grave danger. I may lose its habitat because more people are moving into the Tucson area and destroying the ecosystem. Less than 50 of me and my friends remain in the state. WHERE DID YOU FIND INFORMATION ABOUT ME?
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy- Owl If you want to know how a Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy- Owl looks and what it feeds on then this is the site for you. It describes the Pygmy- Owl from head to toe, including colors and features. You may also learn where the owl lives from this site. Pygmy- Owl Facts
This source describes every aspect of the Cactus ferruginous Pygmy- Owl. It tells how the Pygmy Owl reproduces, what it eats, and where its habitat is. If you want a lot of quick information about the owl this is the site for you.
Activity Kindergarten and first grade- Draw a picture of the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl and create a story about you owl. Share your story with the class. Second Grade- Draw a picture of the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl and write a paragraph telling a story about the owl. Then, share your story with another classmate. Third grade- Draw 8 squares on a piece of paper and make a storyboard to create an original story about the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. In each square you will draw a picture and under the square you will write a sentence or two describing what is going on in the picture. Once you are finished, use that storyboard to write a one page story about the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. |