The Western Screech-Owl is a small, nocturnal, woodland owl of western North America and is one of the west's more common owls at lower elevations. It is the second smallest eared owl, after the Flammulated Owl, found west of the Rocky Mountains. It is a squat-looking owl that sits erect, its plumage fluffed out, with feet and legs obscured, and its distinct ear tufts raised. The iris is bright yellow and this owl will swivel its head into contorted positions to gain a good view because its eyes are immovable. Its bill is black, with tufts of bristly feathers around its base, and toes are yellow. Its plumage is either mainly grayish or reddish-brown (see Morphs) variegated dark and light, that resembles a furrowed tree bark pattern, and is virtually identical to the Eastern Screech-Owl. It has noticeable light spotting along the edge of the scapulars. Its facial disk is bordered by black.
Size
The Western Screech-Owl is the same size as the Eastern Screech-Owl, about the 12th largest North American owl overall. Because of its puffed plumage it gives the impression of being larger than it is. Females are 5 to 10% larger than males. Females average 9.2 inches (23 centimeters) and males average 8.2 inches (21 centimeters) in length, respectively. Wingspans average 22 inches (56 centimeters) for females and 21 inches (54 centimeters) for males. Weights of different subspecies vary widely, from an average of 6.5 ounces (186 grams) for females and 5.3 ounces (152 grams) for males in a northern population to 4.3 ounces (123 grams) for females and 3.9 ounces (111 grams) for males in a southern population. In general, weights decrease from north to south, with northern rain forest-dwelling birds being as much as 50% heavier than southern desert-dwelling birds.
Specific Description
Adult (gray phase)
-refer to above
-facial disks dusky white with fine gray-brown mottling
-overall gray-brown, with gray-brown narrow vertical stripes, bars, and spots on underparts, and barred wings and tail
-legs fine buff mottling
Adult (red phase)
-refer to above
-similar pattern to gray phase except dull cinnamon instead of gray
-face buff light cinnamon
-rufous spotting on breast with black anchor marks
Similar Species
The Western Screech-Owl is likely to be confused mainly with the Eastern Screech-Owl and Whiskered Screech-Owl. These owls can only be distinguished by their different calls. Western and Eastern Screech-Owls only occur together locally in eastern Colorado and southern Texas. Western and Whiskered Screech-Owls only occur together in southern Arizona and Mexico. The Flammulated Owl could be mistaken for this species too, but it is much smaller and darker than the Western Screech-Owl.
Other Names
It has also been known as Puget Sound Screech-Owl, Washington Screech-Owl, Ghost Owl, Dusk Owl, Little Cat Owl, and Coastal Screech-Owl.
Etymology
The scientific name Otus kennicottii translates into "eared owl named after Robert Kennicott".
Mythology
Native Northwest coast Kwagulth people believed that owls (including this species) represented both a deceased person and their newly-released soul.