Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule to List the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl as Endangered With Critical Habitat in Arizona and Threatened in Texas

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 12-month finding on a petition to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) as endangered under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service finds that the petitioned action is warranted and proposes to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl as endangered in Arizona, and as threatened in Texas. Listing is not warranted at this time in its range in Mexico. The former breeding range of this bird extended from south-central Arizona south through western Mexico, and from southern Texas south through northeastern Mexico. Within these regions, the species occurs in riverbottom woodlands, coastal plain oak associations, thornscrub, and desertscrub associations.The cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is threatened to varying degrees across its range by loss and modification of habitat, lack of adequate protective regulations, and other factors. This proposal, if made final, would implement Federal protection provided by the Act for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl in the United States. Critical habitat is being proposed in Arizona.