About Megascops trichopsis (Wagler, 1832)
Adults of Megascops trichopsis, commonly called the whiskered screech owl, come in two color morphs: one with brown plumage and one with dark grey plumage. These owls have a round head with ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a yellowish bill. They closely resemble the western screech owl, but can be distinguished by heavier barring on their breasts and a slightly smaller overall size. They measure 6.3 to 7.9 inches in length, with an average wingspan of 17.3 inches. The species' range stretches from the Madrean sky islands region of extreme southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States, south through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, to north central Nicaragua. Their breeding habitat consists of dense coniferous or oak woodlands, and coffee plantations; this habitat is typically found at higher elevations than the breeding habitat of the western screech owl.
