Furruginous Pygmy-Owl in Tulum Mexico

We explored the urban trees of Parque de la Colonia Huracanes while in Tulum, Mexico. We came face to face with one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most charismatic predators – the Furruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum). Perched motionless among the tangled branches, its intense yellow eyes tracked every movement below. Despite being only about 6 inches tall, this tiny owl is a fierce and versatile hunter. They are often active during the day and known for its bold behavior.

This Furruginous Pygmy-Owl encounter was part of a guided outing with 10000BirdTours.com. Their local expertise made it possible to locate such a well-camouflaged bird. The owl’s presence in the park like Huracanes highlights how pockets of green space work. How they can still shelter an incredible range of wildlife like in this Tulum urban park. Watching this raptor hold court in the canopy reminded me of how much biodiversity is found just beyond the sidewalks. That is, if you know where (and how) to look.