Flammulated Owl
Psiloscops flammeolus
Silhouette: Ferran Sayol · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderStrigiformes (Owls)
- FamilyStrigidae (Typical Owls)
- GenusPsiloscops
- SpeciesPsiloscops flammeolus (Flammulated Owl)
About the Flammulated Owl
The flammulated owl (Psiloscops flammeolus) is a small migratory North American owl in the family Strigidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Psiloscops. The flammulated owl was formally described in 1852 by the German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup under the binomial name Scops flammeola. He specified the type location as Mexico. This species was formerly placed with the scops owls in the genus Otus but is now placed in its own genus Psiloscops that was introduced in 1899 by Elliott Coues. The name Psiloscops combines the Ancient Greek psilos meaning "naked" or "smooth" with the genus name Scops, a synonym of Otus. The specific epithet flammeolus is Latin meaning "flame-coloured", "with flame-like markings" or "flammulated". The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
A molecular phylogenetic study of the owls published in 2019 found that the flammulated owl is a sister species to the Puerto Rican owl (Gymnasio nudipes). The flammulated owl is a small, nocturnal owl approximately 15 cm (6 in) long with a 36 cm (14 in) wingspan. With such large wings for a small body, they can fly rapidly from tree to tree. Males and females can... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Flammulated Owl in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Spotted Owl
Strix occidentalis
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Glaucidium gnoma
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolius acadicus
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Flammulated Owl in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Flammulated Owl sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 8 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Flammulated Owl in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?
May has the highest sighting rate for Flammulated Owl in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in our monthly data.