Montana Field Guide

In Western Screech-Owls, tufts are present, eyes are yellow, the bill is black to gray-green or gray-black. The facial disk is gray and surrounded by a black border. Ventrally, they are a heavily marked owl with dark brown horizontal barring and vertical streaking, creating a uniform dark coloration. Dorsally, they are the same as ventrally, but with distinct white spotting on the shoulders. The size is eight to 10 inches and the weight is six to eight ounces. They have two calls. The first call is, "toot, toot, toot toot toot toot" accelerating in tempo, similar to a bouncing ball. The second call is a trill.

For a comprehensive review of the conservation status, habitat use, and ecology of this and other Montana bird species, please see Marks et al. 2016, Birds of Montana.

The Eastern Screech-Owl in Montana has much lighter plumage and has a lighter bill ranging from yellow-white to yellow-green.

Western Screech-Owls are probably year-round residents.

Habitat is primarily cottonwood bottoms, but they may exist along the fringes of coniferous forests where the two habitats overlap.

Prey is predominately small mammals and a few birds.

Territories are defended throughout the year (Cannings and Angell 2001).

Western Screech-Owls begin breeding in March. Nests are in natural cavities or woodpecker holes. Clutch size is three to seven. Incubation is approximately 29 days. The young fledge at approximately 30 days.

A cavity nester, the Western Screech-Owl is easily attracted to nest boxes. Throughout its range, the species is closely tied to riparian habitats. (Cannings and Angell 2001)