This small nocturnal owl is one of the specialty birds of southeastern Arizona, their territory just barely reaching over the Mexican border. They are usually found by their repetitive tooting in middle-elevation oak and sycamore canyons.

Family: Owls (Strigidae)
Genus & Species: Megascops trichopsis
Identification:
 - Size: 7.25" length, 17.5" wingspan, 3.2 oz. weight.
 - Male color and appearance: Mostly gray overall with vertically 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, without vertical streaking.
 - Flight: Quick, agile, and silent.
Feeding Behavior: A variety of small prey items such as reptiles, crustaceans, amphibians, and even fish.
Similar Species:
- The slightly larger Western Screech-Owl looks almost identical, but is usually found at lower altitudes. Their calls are completely different.
- The Flammulated Owl is smaller with indistinct ear tufts and DARK eyes. It is even less common than the Whiskered Screech-Owl. 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: Two primary calls. A repetitive series of short toots at the same pitch, and a series of "Morse code" toots.
Status: Locally common in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in higher elevation forests.
Habitat: Usually in middle to higher elevation Madrean oak forests; most often in canyons between 5000' and 7600'. Prefers Arizona sycamores with natural cavities for nesting.
Breeding Range: These owls breed in southeastern Arizona montane forests between April and July.
Wintering Range: These owls are non-migratory, but are basically silent until late February.
Known breeding locations: Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains and Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountain Range are both reliable spots to hear and see these birds.