The Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America.
Information[]
Description[]
The Western Screech Owl is about 22 cm (8.5 in.) tall, has a wingspan of 51 cm (20 in.), and weighs about 150 grams (5 oz.). The females are usually larger than the males. Its plumage is brown or dark grey, with streaking on the underparts. It has a round head with ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a yellowish bill.
Since its appearance is very similar to that of the Whiskered Screech, it is better to identify it by its call. The primary call is an accelerating series of short whistles at an increasing tempo, or a short, then long trill falling slightly at end. Other calls include barking and chuckling, similar to the Eastern.
Ecology[]
The Western Screech Owl is native to Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatamela, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Its habitat includes temperate forests, subtropical and tropical montane forests, shrubland, desert, rural fields and gardens, and even suburban parks and gardens.
Diet[]
These birds wait on perches to swoop down on unsuspecting prey; they may also catch insects in flight. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and large insects. They are active at night or near dusk, using their excellent hearing and night vision to locate prey.
Reproduction[]
Western Screech Owls are permanent residents of western North and Central America, breeding in open woods, or mixed woods at forest edges. They often use holes in tree cavities or cactus that were excavated by woodpeckers.
Significant Western Screech Owls[]
History[]
The Capture[]
47-2 was in charge of the pelletorium at St. Aggies and so instructed everyone on how to be a picker. When Soren accidentally asks a question, Spoorn and Skench arrive to pluck his feathers.
Spoorn and Skench believe that the Moon scalding worked, and so converse about where to assign Soren and Gylfie.
In the glaucidium, 47-2 talks about how she's DNF (Destined Not to Fly), and awaits the visit from the vampire bats. When the bats arrive, she gladly lays on her back and lets them suck her blood.
Grimble tells Soren and Gylfie how Spoorn and Skench said they would spare his family if he came to work for them at St. Aggie's.
47-2, now larger and able to fly, accompanies Jatt and Jutt in patrolling the Desert of Kuneer. Gylfie distracts 47-2 by pretending to be a Burrowing Owl. Soon, 47-2, along with Jatt and Jutt, is killed by Zan and Streak.
The Siege[]
When the Chaw of Chaws arrive at St. Aggie's, Unk and a Long-eared Owl quickly fetch Spoorn and Skench.
Otulissa is taken to the cave of Skench and Spoorn, and they asks her all she knowns about flecks.
The Chaw of Chaws start a riot, so Finny, Skench, Spoorn, and several Great Horned Owl guards show up. Gylfie begins reciting the first Legend of Hoole, and the evil owls are left in a daze.
The Burning[]
Upon returning from the Northern Kingdoms, Soren is shocked and disgusted to see Skench and Spoorn at the Great Tree. The pair of thugs, and several other St. Aggie's owls escaped when the Pure Ones took over, and Soren was asked to teach them to fight with fire, which he refused.
With the Battle of the Burning underway, Twilight is attacked by Spoorn. Martin flies in and launches an ice splinter into the breast of Spoorn.
Lost Tales of Ga'Hoole[]
Drusilla was friends with Fritha, and had just com back from a kraal raid. As she bragged about killing another owl for the first time, Flinn realizes he doesn't want his daughter to turn out like that.
Trivia[]
The species name kennicottii was created to commemorate American naturalist and herpetologist Robert Kennicott. In fact, it was originally called Kennicott's Owl.