Western or Whiskered Screech-Owl — Image by kenne
The more I observe my new found friend, and the more I Google for information, the more I’m not sure whether he is a Western or Whiskered Screech-Owl. The Western is common to most western states, but the Whiskered is only common to southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora. The two are almost identical and the best way to tell the difference is their voice. The Whiskered voice is a series of low whistles in a distinctive Morse code-like pattern: hoo-hoo hooo hoo, hoo-hoo hooo hoo, and so on. Also a rapid hoohoohoohoo. So far, I have decided not to pursue a conversation.
kenne
