The Whiskered Screech-Owl is a small, nocturnal owl found in southeastern Arizona, where it reaches the northern limit of its range. Measuring about 7–8 inches in length, it is similar in size and shape to the Western Screech-Owl but can be distinguished by its finely patterned, whitish facial disk with dark feathering that creates a “whiskered” appearance, dense barring on the underparts, and a softer, less forceful voice. In Arizona, it inhabits the pine–oak and evergreen woodlands of the Madrean Sky Islands, particularly in canyons and along wooded slopes at elevations generally between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. It roosts by day in tree cavities or dense foliage and hunts at night for large insects, small mammals, birds, and reptiles, using a perch-and-pounce technique. Breeding occurs from late April to early June, with nests placed in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, where the female lays 3–4 eggs and incubates them while the male provides food. Though considered fairly common within its limited range, its specialized habitat makes it vulnerable to forest degradation, and its presence in Arizona is largely confined to well-wooded, undisturbed mountain habitats.
