- Both are small (6-10 inches), nocturnal raptors that nest in tree or saguaro cavities
- Because they look remarkably alike, identifying them usually comes down to their distinct habitats and unique vocalization
- The Western Screech Owl is the year-round, desert-dwelling screech owl that you are most likely to encounter around Tanque Verde and the greater Tucson area ... look for them in local washes (like those near the Sweetwater Wetlands or Catalina State Park) at dusk, or listening closely to suburban backyard trees at night
- The Whiskered Screech Owl (Megascops Trichopsis) is a localized specialty and is highly sought after by birders, as their US range is almost exclusively limited to the isolated mountain ranges (Sky Islands) of southeastern Arizona ... They can be regularly found in the lower-to-mid elevations of nearby canyons including Bear Canyon on Mount Lemmon, Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains, and Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahua Mountains