Megascops kennicottii
The Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small, cryptically plumaged owl, measuring 20-25 cm (8-10 in) in length with a wingspan of 50-60 cm (20-24 in) and weighing 120-250 grams (4.2-8.8 oz). It exhibits two color morphs, a more common grayish-brown and a less frequent reddish-brown (rufous), both adorned with intricate streaking and barring that provide exceptional camouflage against tree bark. Distinctive field marks include prominent ear tufts, bright yellow eyes, and a rather...
Primarily found in open woodlands, riparian areas, orchards, and suburban parks from sea level to over 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) elevation.
Primarily preys on large insects (moths, beetles), small mammals (rodents, shrews), and small birds; also eats amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Forages using a perch-and-pounce method or aerial hawking.
Strictly nocturnal, the Western Screech Owl spends its days roosting inconspicuously in tree cavities, dense foliage, or camouflaged against tree trunks. It is an opportunistic predator, employing a classic perch-and-pounce foraging strategy from an elevated perch, often swooping down to snatch p...
The Western Screech Owl has a broad distribution across western North America, extending from southeastern Alaska and British Columbia, Canada, southward through the western United States. Its range encompasses the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain states, the Great Basin, and extends along the P...
Least Concern
- The Western Screech Owl has an incredible ability to camouflage itself, often blending so perfectly with tree bark that it's nearly invisible. - They come in two distinct color morphs, grey and rufous (reddish-brown), though the grey morph is more common across much of its range. - Despite its ...