Whiskered Screech-owl

Megascops trichopsis

A small, noisy owl that thrives in montane forests from Arizona to Nicaragua, the whiskered screech-owl is named for the tufted bristles on its face. A highly nocturnal bird, the first alert to the presence of a whiskered screech-owl is usually hearing its distinctive trilled song resounding through moonlit woodlands.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Whiskered Screech-owl is a small owl with prominent ear tufts and distinctive facial whiskers. Its plumage is mottled brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark. The eyes are yellow, and the facial disk is framed by dark edges.

Females are noticeably larger than males. Otherwise, both sexes are similar in plumage, with no significant seasonal variations. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a slightly fluffier appearance and less defined facial markings.

Size

Length

18cm to 23cm

Wingspan

48cm to 56cm

Weight

100g to 160g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

White Buff

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Whiskered Screech-owl can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Whiskered Screech-owl can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Whiskered Screech-owl is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Whiskered Screech-owls inhabit montane forests and woodlands across a range extending from the southwestern United States through Mexico to northern Nicaragua. They show a preference for pine-oak and pine-fir forests at elevations between 600 and 2,950 meters.

In the United States, they are found in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, where they are year-round residents. Their presence in these areas makes them a target species for birdwatchers visiting the region.

Arizona’s mountain ranges from the Santa Catalinas south all have resident whiskered screech-owls, with good sighting spots at Bear Canyon, to the north of Tucson, Madera Canyon in the Santa Ritas, Miller Canyon in the Huachucas and Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahuas.

Elevation Range

600 to 2,950 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Whiskered Screech-owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons