Western Bird Guide: Birds of the Rockies and West to the Pacific

by Charles K. Reed

Range.—North America, breeding in the northern part of the United States and British Columbia, and wintering to southern California.

SCREECH OWL.

373. Otus asio asio. 10 inches.

These may be found in two color phases, the red or gray with black and white markings. It is frequently called the “Little Horned Owl,” because of its ear tufts. They are easily tamed and become great pets, and about a barn are as good as a cat for catching mice.

FLAMULATED SCREECH OWL.

374. Otus flammeolus. 9 inches.

This is a trifle smaller than the two preceding, has shorter ear tufts, and the plumage is much streaked and edged with rusty. The toes are unfeathered to the base. The number of eggs and nesting habits are practically the same as the preceding, as are also the five or six sub-species between this and the last, all of which occur in the southwestern part of the United States.

WESTERN HORNED OWL.

375a. Bubo virginianus pallescens. 22 inches.