The Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small, nocturnal raptor found year-round across much of Arizona, from desert washes and riparian woodlands to foothill canyons and suburban neighborhoods with mature trees. Measuring about 7.5–10 inches in length, it has gray or brown plumage mottled with streaks and bars, short ear tufts, and striking yellow eyes, allowing it to blend seamlessly into tree bark during the day. These owls are primarily cavity nesters, using natural holes or abandoned woodpecker cavities, and readily accept nest boxes. Their diet is varied and opportunistic, including insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and they typically hunt from low perches at night. In Arizona, their distinctive series of accelerating whistles—often described as a bouncing ball call—can be heard throughout the year, with peak vocal activity during the breeding season from February to May. Resident and non-migratory, Western Screech-Owls are well adapted to both wild and human-altered landscapes, though they depend on suitable tree cover and nesting sites for survival.
