Western Screech Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Appearance
Range & Habitat
Reciprocal relationships
Their hooting can be heard from February when mating season begins and is most often a muted “hoo…oo…oo” (like a bouncing ball). Their favourite foods are rodents, insects, and small birds. By predating these species, they help maintain the balance of ecosystems. In turn, goshawks, hawks, other owls (even other screech owls), and carnivorous mammals prey on screech owls. When threatened, western screech owls tighten their feathers and stretch out to look like a branch to avoid being found.
Most screech owls lay two or three eggs. The incubation period is about 26 days, and the fledgling period is about 35 days. The western screech owl is currently a threatened species. This owl needs riparian woodlands for nesting and hunting; many of these areas have been logged or used for urban development or agriculture. Through working to protect the western screech owl, we also protect many other species in their food chain.