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Western Screech-Owl

Megascops kennicottiiOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: True Owls (Strigidae)

Western Screech-Owl (northwest coast kennicotti) Portrait
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General

Western Screech-Owl: Small owl (kennicotti), with distinct ear tufts, brown- or gray-mottled upperparts, white spots on shoulders, and streaked and barred underparts. Facial disk is lightly mottled and has prominent dark rim. Eyes are bright yellow and bill is dark gray. Sexes are similar. Juvenile may be downy.

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.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"hoo-hoo-hoo", "cr-r-oo-oo-oo"

Interesting Facts

 The Western Screech Owl was first described in 1867. Common names include Little Horned Owl, Dusk Owl, Ghost Owl, Mouse Owl, Cat Owl, Little Cat Owl, Puget Sound Screech Owl, Washington Screech Owl, and Coastal Screech Owl.

 When threatened, they stretch their body and tighten their feathers in order to look like a branch stub. They become motionless if disturbed at roost, and can sometimes be caught by hand in this state.

 At one time, the Western and Eastern Screech Owl were considered to be one species, but they have since been split into two separate species.

 A group of owls has many collective nouns, including a "bazaar", "glaring", "parliament", "stooping", and "wisdom" of owls.



Author

Gary Owen Dick

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Range Map for Western Screech Owl
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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