- Megascops kennicottii
Otus kennicottii
Identification
- Brown or dark grey plumage
- Streaked underparts
- Round head with ear tufts
- Yellow eyes
- Yellowish bill.
Distribution
Alaska and north-western Canada to California and Mexico.
Taxonomy
This and almost all Screech Owls in the Americas have previously been considered to belong in the same genus (Otus) as the European and Asian Scops-Owls, but a reassignment to Megascops have been accepted by among other authorities, the American Ornithologists' Union.
A study showing strong genetic structure may indicate a possible future split.
Subspecies[1]
- M. k. kennicottii:
- Coastal southern Alaska to north-western Canada and north-western California
- M. k. bendirei:
- Eastern Washington and Montana to south-eastern California
- M. k. aikeni:
- South-western US (California) to western Oklahoma, south to northern Mexico (Sonora)
- M. k. cardonensis:
- Southern California and northern Baja California
- M. k. xantusi:
- Cape district of southern Baja California
- M. k. yumanensis:
- South-eastern California and south-western Arizona to northern Mexico (north-western Sonora)
- M. k.i vinaceus:
- Northern Mexico (southern Sonora and western Chihuahua to northern Sinaloa)
- M. k. suttoni:
Habitat
Open deciduous or mixed woods.
Behaviour
They are active during the night or as dusk approaches.
Breeding
They nest in a cavity in a tree or cactus, often using old woodpecker holes.
Diet
They wait on a perch and swoop down on prey; they may also catch insects in flight. The diet includes small mammals and large insects, also small birds.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Paper describing genetic findings with this species
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Western Screech Owl. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Western_Screech_Owl
