Western slope of Andes in Colombia (Cordillera Central) and Ecuador.
 
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Habitat destruction and degradation through logging, conversion to agriculture, are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Hollow whistles or toots similar to other Glaucidium spp. Song has notes of constant duration, delivered in pairs (or occasionally trios) with distinctive intra- and internote pauses.
Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nubicola) [XC238340]
by Jonas Nilsson from Pichincha: ridge between R\u00edo Mindo and R\u00edo Nambillo, 3 km SE Mindo, Ecuador (song)
Cloud-forest Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nubicola) [XC582950]
by Rainforest Connection from Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, Pichincha, Parroquia Nanegalito, Nueva Granada, Hacienda Los Yumbos, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Morphological similar to Andean Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium jardinii), but vocally very distinct and also exhibits subtle but constant morphological differences. Probably most closely related to Mountain Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma) and Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium costaricanum).
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Andean Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium jardinii) which has longer tail and more extensive pale spotting or barring on back, sides of chest and flanks.
References
See References.