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Western Screech Owl

Megascops kennicottii

Photo by KarenSaxton
Published on Project Noah
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43.1813, -124.182

Field Notes

Description:

Small horned owl

Habitat:

tree overlooking a grassland(dry floodplain) at dusk

Notes:

Using photo shop to better see markings and going back to the tree for measurements determined this was a screech owl as a great horned is almost 3X as large

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Christy Chow
Totally fair! :) I'm just happy to have more owl fans in OR. I'm in Ashland!
KarenSaxton
I'm just using the perch as scale - it was close to 1/2 and when that is used as rule of thumb, this is NOT a 22 inch owl. Plus I've seen other photos of western screech owls with the tufts that large. I'm standing with my ID. We have quite a few screech owls in our area(by call) and not very many GHO Where in Oregon do you live?
Christy Chow
Well, I've worked with owls for over 5 years now, and I'm positive it's a great horned (note the tuft ratio and chest banding). They're totally capable of perching on even 1/2" thick twigs. I have western screech owls and can show you some photos, if you want! HOWEVER, it is your spotting (and an AWESOME one, too!), and I respect that 100% :) I'm glad you saw this owl, whichever it is! Owls are the best! (Owls are my favorite creatures and my ornithological specialty!) Keep taking awesome pictures of the creatures of our wonderful state! ~Christy
KarenSaxton
Too small. That branch is much less than an inch in diameter(I went back and measured it the next day. Also the ratio head to body is all wrong for great horned owl, but correct for screech owl.
Christy Chow
This is actually a great horned owl! Bubo virginianus! :)
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 4, 2013

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