Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range and the population size is very large, hence does not approach threatened thresholds for the range or population size criteria. The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
In Europe, the total population size is estimated at 165,000-313,000 mature individuals, with 82,900-157,000 breeding pairs (BirdLife International 2021), and comprises approximately 35% of the species' global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is between 471,000-894,000 mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is desirable. In Europe, the species' population is considered to have remained relatively stable over three generations (10 years) (BirdLife International 2021). Based on these data, and the proportion of the species' global range that this region holds, the global population size is considered to be stable over three generations. The population is suspected to fluctuate in relation to rodent prey populations and weather conditions (del Hoyo et al. 1999). This species is considered to have a medium dependency on forest habitat, which is estimated to be declining at a slow rate within its mapped range (Global Forest Watch 2024).
Trend justification
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The species occupies open coniferous and mixed forest mainly in tall forest interior, dominated by conifers and often interspersed with beech (Fagus), aspen (Populus), birch (Betula) and other broadleaved trees used for nesting. It occurs in taiga and montane forest and in lowlands at upper and middle latitudes; in temperate zone ranging from 250–300 m in narrow cool and moist ravines to above 1,000 m in Alps (Holt et al. 1999). It is monogamous and breeds from April to July. The nest is in a tree cavity, either a natural hole or one excavated by a woodpecker; it will also make use of nestboxes. Debris is removed from the hole and no material is added to it (Mikkola 1983, Holt et al. 1999). Clutches are usually four to seven eggs. It feeds on small mammals, especially voles, although also shrews (Sorex), bats (Myotis) and mice (Micromys,Apodemus) and small birds (Holt et al. 1999). The species is mainly resident, although some dispersal occurs during winter and bad weather and low prey numbers can cause irruptive movements (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997).
Breeding densities and numbers can fluctuate significantly with weather conditions and rodent cycles. Despite large-scale deforestation in Finland, there is no evidence of population declines there, however in west Germany its disappearance in many areas has been linked to destruction of forests and the resulting changes in ecosystem, such as increases in the population of Tawny Owls (Strix aluco) at higher elevations (Holt et al. 1999). It is also thought that acid rain damage in conjunction with increasing forest disease will weaken trees to storm damage and result in changes in the ecosystem and increased predation from S. aluco (König et al. 2008).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. EU Birds Directive Annex I. Bern Convention Appendix II. The species became extinct in the Black Forest (Germany) by 1967 so a captive-breeding programme was initiated in 1968. By 1995, 150 breeding territories had been established in the Black Forest (Holt et al. 1999).
Conservation Action Proposed
The species requires more research to inform conservation measures (König et al. 2008). Conservation of forest habitats, including the preservation of old trees and provision of nest boxes would be beneficial to this species.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Rutherford, C.A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-pygmy-owl-glaucidium-passerinum on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.