Ear to the Wild: The Western Screech-Owl

They're small, and hard to see at night. But when you hear that bouncing ball rhythm coming from the forest, you'll know it's a Western Screech-Owl! (Photo: Randy R. Magnuson, CC BY-SA 3.0)   The Western Screech-Owl's song sounds a little bit like a bouncing ball. They make other sounds too. Like this contact call they use to keep track of one another in the dark.... In spite of their name Western Screech-Owls don't even really screech! They used to be considered the same species as the Eastern Screech-Owl. At some point biologists noticed that the Western Screech-Owls made different sounds, and that led to them being designated as a separate species. They're small, and hard to see at night. But when you hear that bouncing ball rhythm coming from the forest, you'll know it's a Western Screech-Owl!   The Western Screech-Owl! Thanks for lending an Ear to the Wild. I'm Jack Hines! For more information please visit EartotheWild.com. Season 2: Episode 8 Aired: week of February 25, 2024 (Photo: Randy R. Magnuson, CC BY-SA 3.0)