Credit: Alexandra MacKenzie
North American field guide
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
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Identification
Field notes
22 cm (8") Common. Western United States, British Columbia. Woodlands, deserts, streamside groves, farms, suburban areas.
Small owl with yellow eyes and usually a dark bill. Ear tufts may be flattened for a round-headed look. Mostly gray; some birds show a brown. Underparts are barred and streaked.
Nocturnal.
Best found and identified from Eastern Screech-owl by location and voice.
Song: a series of accelerated whistles; short trill followed by a longer trill.
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Credit: Bryant
Credit: Beth Hoffman
Watch and learn
Videos
Western Screch Owl
Credit: Gordon WildmanWestern Screech-Owl Baby in Nest
Credit: Scott CarpenterBird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant · 2 rules
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
Western Screech-Owl
2 rulesRule 1 7 criteria · confidence 4
- Did the owl have EAR TUFTS ?
- Yes · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Hooked · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Owl
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Southwestern United States
Rule 2 7 criteria · confidence 4
- Did the owl have EAR TUFTS ?
- Yes · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Hooked · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Sparrow-sized · Robin-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Owl
- WHERE was the bird seen ?
- Northwestern Canada or United States