owl identification help (1 Viewer)

R

riverkim

New member

• Jun 3, 2005

• #1

I was hoping someone could help me identify this owl. We saw it while hiking in the Paria Canyon in Southern Utah. I have tried comparing it to as many pictures on the internet that I could find and no luck. Anyone have any idea? The closest seemed to be the Mexican Spotted Owl, and the Short-eared owl, but yet they just didn't seem right.

Thanks!!

 

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C

C0ops

Active member

• Jun 3, 2005

• #2

immature Great Horned Owl

 

C

C0ops

Active member

• Jun 3, 2005

• #3

Immature do not have the horns yet...very tricky...but I'm 100% certain on the I.D...The black lines contouring the Rufus face and eyes give it away

 

R

riverkim

New member

• Jun 3, 2005

• #4

Thanks so much. Now that I compare it to some pics of great horned owls I can see the similarities.

Cheers!

 

smudgepot

Well-known member

• Jun 3, 2005

• #5

Based on my Sibley's guide for Western North America, I'd say it also looks like a fledgling Western Screech-Owl. But the size between the Great Horned Owl (22 inches) and the Western Screech-Owl (8.5 inches) is a big difference, probably even for an immature bird. Any thoughts?

 

White*Kite

Forever delayed

• Jun 4, 2005

• #6

I would also go with immature Great Horned Owl 100%.