Tawny-bellied Screech Owl
Megascops watsonii
The tawny-bellied screech owl is 19 to 24 cm (7.5 to 9.4 in) long. The nominate subspecies weighs 114 to 155 g (4.0 to 5.5 oz) and M. w. usta 115 to 141 g (4.1 to 5.0 oz). The nominate has a dark buff facial disc with a thin darker border, dark buff brows over dark yellow eyes, and longish broad "ear" tufts. The crown and upperparts are dark gray-brown with black and buff spots and vermiculations. The tail has alternating brown and light buff bars. The breast is dark brown with small buff spots. The rest of the underparts are buff with black streaks and the belly also has faint white bars. M. Voice: The nominate tawny-bellied screech owl's primary song is "a long series of rapid notes, becoming faster and louder, then fading with low trill." That of M. w. usta is similar but slower. The nominate's secondary song is a "brief series of short 'wu' notes"; that of M. w. usta is "thought to be fast series of 'bu' notes, slowing to 'bouncing' rhythm".
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Western Screech Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Length averages 22 cm (8.7 in), wingspan 55 cm (22 in), and weight 143 g (5.0 oz). Weight ranges from 88 to 220 g (3.1 to 7.8 oz). Females are larger than males and northern populations are notably larger than southern populations. Adults are larger than whiskered screech owls, with larger feet and a more streaked plumage pattern. There are several morphs: brown Pacific, grey Pacific, Great Plains, Mojave, and Mexican. All have either brown or dark gray plumage with streaking on the underparts. There is no red morph. Voice: The primary call is an accelerating series of short whistles at an increasing tempo or a short then long trill falling slightly at end. Other calls: barking and chuckling, similar to the eastern screech owl. They also make a high pitched screech. The two primary songs for the Western Screech Owl are the bounce and double trill.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
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