Whiskered Screech-Owl

Basic Description

The Whiskered Screech-Owl announces its presence with rapid Morse code-like tooting in mountain woodlands and forests from southeastern Arizona to northern Nicaragua. This small owl, which comes in both gray and rufous morphs, has whiskerlike feathers around its eyes and a pale yellow bill. Whiskered Screech-Owls forage at night for insects, reptiles, and small mammals, and nest in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes. Because of its nocturnal habits and similarity to other screech-owls, it's best identified by its two distinctive hooting songs.