Western Screech-Owl

Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is in the Typical Owls family (Strigidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 6,109 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Western Screech-Owl: observations by month (U.S.)

About Western Screech-Owl

The western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the European scops owl and the DescriptionFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Western Screech-Owl by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Typical Owls)

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

Barred OwlStrix varia

Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus

Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Long-eared OwlAsio otus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ