El Paso Screech-owl

[David Tønnessen]

Birders,

I took the liberty of clearing up this Screech-owl conundrum once and for all this morning, as I think I've now received alerts of excess of 15 reports of it being either species (Western and Eastern). At around 6:20 am, the bird responded to an Eastern Screech-owl whinny on tape by letting out a slow bouncing ball song, and then in response to Western Screech-owl tape it flew behind me and made single, soft hoots of the same quality as those found in the bouncing ball song.

In conclusion, this Bear Creek Dog Park Screech-owl which according to locals has been here since Thanksgiving, is a Western.

Happy birding and Happy Holidays,
David Tonnessen
Colorado Springs, CO

[kickback]

Dave,

Thanks for your post!! I thought it was a Western based on the bill color and facial markings but there were a lot of folks who thought it was an Eastern.

Bill Kosar

[Ben S]

I find it interesting it would give such a response to Eastern Screech Owl. 

Ben Sampson

Centennial, CO