Otus
kennicottii
(Western Screech-owl)
Physical
Description:
7-10" (18-25 cm). Small
owl with ear tufts and usually gray camouflage coloring. A black-rimmed facial
disk surrounds clear yellow eyes and a dark bill. Underparts grayish-white with
black vertical streaks and fine gray cross-bars. Prominent white spots on the
shoulders.
Similar Species- Eastern Screech-Owl, Whiskered Screech-Owl
Song:
An accelerating "bouncing
ball" series of hollow whistles, often dropping in pitch toward the end.
Distribution:
Resident from south-coastal
and southeastern Alaska, coastal and southern British Columbia, northern Idaho,
western Montana, southeastern Colorado, and western Oklahoma, south to southern
Baja California, northern Mexico, and western Texas. Apparently has moved north
into southern Alberta.
Diet:
Feeds mainly on small mammals (mice and
shrews), insects, birds, and sometimes other small vertebrates. Diet may vary
seasonally and geographically, depending on local prey abundance.
Ecology:
Nocturnal. Nests in cavity in standing
snag; may nest in crevice in building, in abondoned magpie nest, or in nest
box. Hunts from perch; captures prey on ground. In central Idaho, home ranges
of 2 radio- tagged birds were reported as 3-9 ha and 29-58 ha. Distance between
adjacent pairs varies from about 50 to a few hundred m. Recent study in southwestern
Idaho examined timing of dispersal and post-fledging movements
using radiotelemetry and videotaping.
Conservation:
Element Code: | ABNSB01040 |
Status: | Protected nongame species |
Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S4 |
National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
Ellsworth, E.A., J.E. Emerson, J.R. Belthoff,
and J. Doremus. 1994. Post-fledging movements and dispersal timing of western
screech owls. Pp. 285-288 in K. Steenhof, Ed., Snake River Birds of Prey National
Conservation Area, 1994 Annual Rep., USDI Bur. Land Mange., Boise District.