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Western Screech-Owl

Megascops kennicottiiOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common, Widespread



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

3 - 4



Incubation Days:

26



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Cavity nester. Use cavities in cliffs, natural tree cavities and old woodpecker holes.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

Overview

Western Screech-Owl: Small owl (kennicotti), distinct ear tufts, brown- or gray-mottled upperparts, white shoulder spots, streaked, barred underparts. Lightly mottled facial disk, has prominent dark rim. Yellow eyes, dark gray bill. Until recently considered the same species as Eastern Screech-Owl.

Range and Habitat

Western Screech-Owl: Common resident in much of the western U.S., Canada, and Mexico in a variety of habitats. Preferred habitats include open woods, especially oak, mixed pine/oak, and sycamore.

Breeding and Nesting

Western Screech-Owl: Nests in a tree cavity, usually 6 to 20 feet above ground; readily uses suitable nest boxes. Two to six white eggs are laid on natural sawdust on the floor of the cavity. Female incubates for 21 to 30 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Western Screech-Owl: Diet largely consists of insects, small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and crayfish. Nocturnal, usually begins foraging 45 minutes after sundown and returns to daytime roost within 30 minutes of sunrise; drops from perch to capture prey.

Vocalization

Western Screech-Owl: Most common call is a mellow, muted trill "hoo-hoo-hoo" that speeds up at the end but maintains a constant pitch. Secondary song is a double trill of rapid bursts. Others include a soft "cr-r-oo-oo-oo-oo" given as a greeting, and a sharp bark given when excited.

Similar Species

Western Screech-Owl: Eastern Screech-Owl is smaller and paler, with pale, yellow-tinged bill.

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family True Owl (Strigidae)_blue
Species Megascops kennicottii
Length7 - 10 Inches
Wingspan20 Inches

Western Screech-Owl

Western Screech-Owl: Small owl (kennicotti), distinct ear tufts, brown- or gray-mottled upperparts, white shoulder spots, streaked, barred underparts. Lightly mottled facial disk, has prominent dark rim. Yellow eyes, dark gray bill. Until recently considered the same species as Eastern Screech-Owl.

● Song: "hoo-hoo-hoo", "cr-r-oo-oo-oo"

● Foraging & Feeding: Western Screech-Owl: Diet largely consists of insects, small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, and crayfish. Nocturnal, usually begins foraging 45 minutes after sundown and returns to daytime roost within 30 minutes of sunrise; drops from perch to capture prey.

● Breeding & nesting: Western Screech-Owl: Nests in a tree cavity, usually 6 to 20 feet above ground; readily uses suitable nest boxes. Two to six white eggs are laid on natural sawdust on the floor of the cavity. Female incubates for 21 to 30 days.

● Similar species: Western Screech-Owl: Eastern Screech-Owl is smaller and paler, with pale, yellow-tinged bill.

Flight Pattern

Silent wing beats., Bouyant flight.
Western Screech-Owl (northwest coast kennicotti) Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Western Screech-Owl: Common resident in much of the western U.S., Canada, and Mexico in a variety of habitats. Preferred habitats include open woods, especially oak, mixed pine/oak, and sycamore.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common to common, Widespread
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight5.4 Ounces