| Western Screech Owl | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Megascops |
| Species: | M. kennicottii |
| Binomial name | |
| Megascops kennicottii (Elliot, 1867) |
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| Subespecies | |
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See text. |
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| Synonyms | |
|
Otus kennicottii |
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The Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the European Scops owl and the North American Eastern Screech Owl. The scientific name commemorates the American naturalist Robert Kennicott.
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Length averages 22 cm (8.7 in), wingspan 55 cm (22 in) and weight 143 g (5.0 oz). Weight ranges from 88 to 220 g (3.1 to 7.8 oz).[2] Females are larger than males and Northern populations are notably larger than Southern races.[3] Adults are larger than Whiskered Screech Owls, with larger feet and more streaked plumage pattern.
There are several morphs: Brown Pacific, Grey Pacific, Great Plains, Mojave, & Mexican. All have either brown or dark gray plumage with streaking on the underparts. There is no red morph.
They have a round head with ear tufts, yellow eyes and a yellowish bill. Their appearance is quite similar to Whiskered and Eastern Screech Owls, therefore, it is best to identify them by their calls. They were previously considered to be the same species as the Eastern Screech Owl.[4]
The primary call is an accelerating series of short whistles at an increasing tempo or a short then long trill falling slightly at end. Other calls barking and chuckling, similar to Eastern[4]They also make a high piched screech.
The Western Screech Owl is native to Canada, United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.[1] Its habitat includes temperate forests, subtropical and tropical montane forests, shrubland, desert, rural fields and gardens and even suburban parks and gardens.[1]
They are permanent residents of western North and Central America, breeding in open woods, or mixed woods at forest edges. They often use holes in tree cavities or cactus that were excavated by woodpeckers.
These birds wait on perches to swoop down on unsuspecting prey; they may also catch insects in flight. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, and birds, and large insects. They are active at night or near dusk, using their excellent hearing and night vision to locate prey.
There are 9 recognized subspecies:[5]
In the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky, Spoorn, the first liutenant to Skench, the evil Ablah General, is a Western Screech. Also, a much less prominent character, 47-2, is a Western Screech.