A flammulated owlet that was rescued in the area of Wetmore in 2021, found on a road. Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

From Denver Gazette

Colorado’s cutest species?: This pint-sized owl found in Colorado is so tiny it could fit in your palm

Is Colorado’s cutest animal that pika? What about the black-footed ferret? The ermine? Or the yellow-bellied marmot? Or moose calves? Baby deer? Wolf pups? All of these creatures are undoubtedly ‘cute,’ but in this writer’s opinion, the cutest animal is one most Coloradans probably haven’t heard of yet – the flammulated owl.

Known for its bugged-eyes, often present look of concern, and for being small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, this sparrow-sized owl species can be easy to miss.

The weight of a flammulated owl comes in at about 1.5 to 2.2 ounces, [anon’s note: that’s 42-62 grams, and they are 6 inches or 57 cm long] with a length of about six inches and a wingspan of about 16. With a tendency to roost during the day in small tree hollows, this bird emerges as an effective predator at night, hunting insects spotted by their bulging eyes and heard by flat facial discs that amplify sound. Some populations are residents of a given area, while others are migratory – including those of Pike National Forest, which travel to the area each spring and summer for breeding and amid their ever-lasting hunt for insects to eat.

Preferred local habitat tends to include open and mature pine forests and per reporting from The Gazette, with one hotspot for studying the species being the Manitou Experimental Forest, located just north of Woodland Park.

Aside from their size and how their feather pattern allows them to be camouflaged amid bark and trees, another distinguishing factor when it comes to identifying the flammulated owl compared to other owl species is their dark eyes – “the other owls have yellow eyes,” wrote Jon LaFleur.

While flammulated owl populations have reportedly held steady in Colorado observation sites, per Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the low reproductive rates of the species coupled with their association with older forests could spell trouble in the future. Habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and collisions with human-made structures are all cause for concern, with recent efforts to better understand the species’ migratory routes underway.

Many lifelong residents of Colorado have never seen this adorable species, and there’s a reason for that. Given how small the flammulated owl is, the species can easily fall prey to other birds and larger predators. For this reason, their ability to stay hidden is top-notch. It’s also worth noting that their call is a “remarkably low-pitched hoot,” which makes this tiny owl sound much better than it is and can lead to its presence going farther unnoticed.

According to All About Birds, finding this species near the day is near-impossible, and finding them at night is also complicated as their low hoot can sound much further away than it actually is. Patience is key in spotting one, along with a bit of luck. If you happen to see a flammulated owl, note that it’s probably mid-hunt. Observations should be kept brief.