Birds
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii · also called western screech owls
As dusk settles over a desert riparian corridor, a series of short, hollow whistles accelerates into a rapid patter, the unmistakable call of a western screech-owl announcing itself in a voice distinct enough from its eastern relative to identify the species by sound alone.
Overview
The western screech-owl, Megascops kennicottii, is a small, well-camouflaged owl native to a wide range of wooded habitat across western North America. Its distinctive accelerating whistle call, adaptable use of varied habitat from desert to mountain forest, and close resemblance to the eastern screech-owl make it one of the more geographically and behaviourally interesting small owls in the West.
A voice that settles the identification
Where visual similarity to the eastern screech-owl might otherwise cause confusion, the western screech-owl’s distinctly accelerating whistle call, so different from its relative’s trembling trill, makes voice the most reliable way to confirm which species you are actually hearing.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and common across suitable wooded habitat throughout western North America, aided by tolerance for a variety of habitat types including wooded urban areas.
Western Screech-Owl: common questions
How can you tell a western screech-owl from an eastern screech-owl by voice?
This species produces a series of short, hollow whistles that accelerate in tempo toward the end, quite different from the trembling, whinny-like trill typical of the eastern screech-owl, and since the two species do not naturally overlap in range, voice combined with location provides a reliable way to confirm identification.
What kind of habitat does the western screech-owl use?
This species hunts and roosts across a wide variety of habitat types within its western range, from desert riparian corridors lined with cottonwoods to mountain forest and even wooded urban parks, adjusting its diet to whatever prey is locally available in each setting.
How can you spot a roosting western screech-owl during the day?
This species has mottled grey or brownish plumage that blends remarkably well with tree bark, making a roosting individual extremely difficult to spot, and successful daytime sightings often depend on noticing a distinctive rounded silhouette tucked into a tree cavity entrance rather than the bird's colouration alone.
Where does the western screech-owl nest?
This species nests within existing tree cavities, including old woodpecker holes and natural hollows, rather than constructing any nest material of its own, a nesting strategy shared broadly with other screech-owl species.