Western screech-owl Otus kennicottii

Identification Tips:

• Length: 8? inches Wingspan: 22? inches
• Small, nocturnal, predatory bird
• Large, rounded head with ear tufts
• Yellow eyes
• Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring
• Dark gray or brown upperparts
• Sexes similar

Similar species:

The Western Screech-Owl is very similar in plumage to Whiskered and Eastern Screech-Owls and is best separated by voice. Other small owls lack prominent ear tufts.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.