This is the most common small owl in our area (at only 8.5" tall), and can be found in desert washes, riparian corridors, and middle to lower-elevation forests. In some areas it nests right in town. It is nocturnal, but is sometimes found roosting outside its nesting cavity, perched next to a trunk. It has an easily-learned song, and often responds to whistled tooting.

Family: Owls (Strigidae)
Genus & Species: Megascops kennicottii
Identification:
 - Size: 8.5" length, 20" wingspan, 5 oz weight.
 - Male color and appearance: Mostly gray overall with a streaked breast over light cross-barring. Mottled back. The small ear tufts are usually raised and prominent.
 - Female ID: Like the male.
 - Juvenile ID: Underparts barred.
 - Flight: Quick and silent.
Feeding Behavior: A variety of small prey items such as reptiles, crustaceans, amphibians, and even fish.
Similar Species:
- The slightly smaller Whiskered Screech-Owl looks almost identical, but is usually found higher up in riparian canyons than the Western Screech-Owl. The call is completely different.
- The Flammulated Owl is smaller with indistinct ear tufts and DARK eyes. It is also much less common and usually in higher elevation woods. The call is also completely different.
- The Northern Pygmy-Owl is superficially similar to the screech-owls, but is smaller and with no ear tufts, a very rounded head, and has a streaked white breast. The call is also completely different.
Songs and Calls: A variety of calls. One common song is an accelerating series of toots, descending slightly in scale--fairly easily imitated by whistling. Another call is a fast trill. Other sounds include short barks and chirps.
Status: Common thoughout our area in a variety of habitats.
Habitat: In well-vegetated desert washes, in riparian areas, and sometimes in gardens and other lightly wooded urban areas. In the foothills, common in lower areas, giving way to Whiskered Screech-Owl at higher altitudes. Nests in tree cavities, woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and even under the fronds of palm trees.
Breeding Range:
 - Southern CA: throughout
 - AZ: throughout, but much more common in the southern portions of the state. Breeding occurs between March and July.
Known breeding locations: Proctor Road (south of Madera Canyon) at the edge of the Santa Rita Mountains and Florida Wash are two good places close to Tucson, AZ. Most well-treed washes in Kofa NWR (northeast of Yuma, AZ) support at least one pair of these owls. They are fairly common in the riparian corridor along the Colorado River, such as at Pichacho State Park, CA. Check eBird for a location close to you.
Wintering Range: These owls are non-migratory, but are basically silent until late January.
Note: This owl will sometimes answer whistled imitations of its song during the early morning hours after the sun has risen, especially in the spring.