Glaucidium gnoma

The Northern pygmy owl, as its names implies, is a small owl about the size of our Western bluebird (7 inches). It makes up for its small size with fearless attacks on prey larger than itself.

The Northern pygmy is uncommon, yet a permanent resident in Utah. Jack Binch photographed this pygmy owl in his Sandy backyard recently. Once in City Creek Canyon, I watched one catch a large field rat. Struggling with the weight of its prey, it had trouble getting airborne.

It has yellow eyes, a yellowish bill and a round head without ear tufts. It has two eye spots on the nape of its neck. These eye spots can make songbirds, which often harass a roosting owl, unsure whether the owl is facing them and ready to attack.

The Rocky Mountain stock has brown to gray upperparts, with heavily streaked whitish underparts.

The owl, which nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, is relatively tame and will allow a close approach.

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* BILL FENIMORE is owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center (www.wild bird.com/layton).