<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='360055'>Whiskered Screech-Owl

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Nocturne
  • Scientific Name: Megascops trichopsis
  • Spanish Name: Autillo bigotudo
  • Family: Strigidae
  • Known Nicknames: Whiskered Owl, Spotted Screech-Owl
  • Average Length: 16–20 cm / 6.3–7.9 in
  • Average Weight: 80–110 g / 2.8–3.9 oz
  • Wingspan: 40–50 cm / 15.7–19.7 in
  • Key Feature: Prominent white eyebrows and long, whisker-like facial bristles
  • Primary Diet: Primarily Insectivore and Small Carnivore
  • Range: Arizona (USA) through Mexico to Nicaragua
  • Habitat: Montane and Pine-Oak Forests
  • Social Structure: Solitary or in Pairs
  • Nesting/Breeding: Tree Cavities and Old Woodpecker Holes
  • Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
  • Évolution démographique : Stable

The Whiskered Screech-Owl (*Megascops trichopsis*) is a small, masterfully camouflaged nocturnal predator found in the montane forests of Central America and the southwestern United States. True to its name, its most distinctive feature is the presence of long, bristle-like feathers (vibrissae) that extend from its bill, resembling a cat’s whiskers and likely aiding in sensing prey at close range. Standing about 6 to 8 inches tall, it typically sports two color morphs—gray and brown—with intricate mottling and barring that allow it to blend seamlessly against tree bark. Its large, earless head is adorned with prominent "horns" (ear tufts) that it can raise or lower, and its piercing yellow eyes give it an alert, curious expression. A special feature is its unique, bouncing-ball-like call, a series of short, accelerating notes that sounds more like a wooden rattle than a typical owl hoot, distinguishing it from its close relatives.

Faits amusants

The Whistled Screech-Owl is a master of disguise, but its most bizarre trick is its “two-note” call that sounds like a Morse code message or a bouncing ball, which it uses to communicate with mates across dense forests. Unlike many owls, it often hunts in the understory rather than from a high perch, snatching beetles, moths, and even small lizards with a silent pounce. It has a peculiar habit of “sunbathing” on branches during cool mornings, spreading its wings to absorb heat, and when threatened, it will flatten its body and ear tufts to mimic a broken branch stump. This species also engages in “anting,” deliberately rubbing ants on its feathers to use the formic acid as a natural insecticide against parasites.

Habitats et répartition

The Whiskered Screech-Owl occupies highland pine-oak and pine-evergreen forests, frequently favoring areas with dense understory and epiphytic growth such as mosses and orchids. It is typically found at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters, often near streams or in canyons where humidity supports its preferred montane habitat. Its geographical range extends from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States, through the Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental of Mexico, and south into Guatemala, Honduras, and northern Nicaragua. The species is largely resident, though some high-elevation populations may make minor seasonal movements within their montane forest home.

Comportements & Reproduction

The Whiskered Screech-Owl is a solitary and territorial bird, with mated pairs forming monogamous bonds that likely persist across multiple breeding seasons. Courtship involves duetting between the male and female, using their distinctive bouncing-ball trills to reinforce the pair bond and defend their territory. They nest in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, typically in oak or pine-oak forests. The female incubates a clutch of 2–4 eggs alone, while the male provides food during this period and after hatching. A notable reproductive strategy is their reliance on asynchronous hatching; eggs are laid at intervals, so chicks emerge over several days. This creates a size hierarchy among siblings, which can reduce competition for food during lean years but also allows the parents to prioritize feeding the largest chick if resources are scarce, ensuring at least one offspring survives.

Alimentation

The Whiskered Screech-Owl is a strict carnivore, primarily feeding on a diet of large insects and arthropods such as moths, beetles, katydids, grasshoppers, and spiders. It also opportunistically hunts small vertebrates, including mice, shrews, and small birds, which it captures by swooping down from a perch or gleaning prey from foliage. Interestingly, this owl exhibits a unique feeding strategy called "hawking," where it will fly out to snatch flying insects directly out of the air, similar to a flycatcher. Additionally, its whisker-like facial bristles are thought to help detect prey by touch during close-range strikes in dense vegetation.

Couleurs

The Whiskered Screech-Owl is predominantly gray or brownish-gray, with fine, dense vermiculations and streaks across the breast and belly that create excellent bark-like camouflage. Its facial disc is outlined by a dark rim, and it has prominent white eyebrows and yellowish eyes. Unique markings include a dark, vertical "whisker" pattern on the sides of the throat, and its plumage often features subtle, pale spots on the wing coverts, blending seamlessly with tree trunks.

Distribution Map

Places linked to this species. A sighting is never guaranteed.