Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Silhouette: Jason Dilworth · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderStrigiformes (Owls)
- FamilyStrigidae (Typical Owls)
- GenusMegascops (Screech-Owls)
- SpeciesMegascops kennicottii (Western Screech-Owl)
About the Western Screech-Owl
The western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the eastern screech owl. The scientific name commemorates the American naturalist Robert Kennicott. 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). Females are larger than males and northern populations are notably larger than southern populations. Adults are larger than whiskered screech owls, with larger feet and a more streaked plumage pattern.
There are several morphs: brown Pacific, grey Pacific, Great Plains, Mojave, and Mexican. All have either brown or dark gray plumage with streaking on the underparts. There is no red morph. This brown and gray streaky coloring allows the owl to camouflage with trees and hide from predators.
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, so it is best to identify them by their calls. They were previously considered to be the same species as the eastern screech owl.
The primary call is an accelerating series of short... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Western Screech-Owl in Grand Canyon National Park
LIVEiNaturalist
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 4 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Western Screech-Owl in Grand Canyon National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Western Screech-Owl sighting in Grand Canyon National Park, based on 16 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Western Screech-Owl in Grand Canyon National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Western Screech-Owl in Grand Canyon National Park in our monthly data.