Western Screech Owl

Western Screech Owl

My first serious year birding I used to bring my camera with me as I walked my kids to school. After dropping them off I would walk the neighborhood taking pictures of such exciting finds as Eurasian Collared Doves, Starlings, and House Sparrows. It wasn't too long, though, before I was stopped on one of these walks by the police. Someone called and complained that I was taking pictures of the kids at the elementary school. I explained to the police what I was doing and started telling them about the Yellow-rumped Warbler I had recently spotted. I could tell by the way their eyes glazed over they were very interested. Later that day I posted in the local PTA's Facebook page about what I was doing- I was hoping to get the word out so people wouldn't be so worried. The next day a friend stopped me on my walk and told me her neighbor had an owl in tree. Would I like to see it? Um...Yeah! Soon I was in this stranger's yard taking pictures of her resident Western Screech Owls.

 These particular owls were very used to people and noise.

Identification Tips

I used to think every owl was large- like the size of the Great Horned Owl or Barn Owl. These owls are not large at all. They are smaller than an American Football. If they happen to be awake the ear tufts and yellow eyes are good indicators when taken with the small size. Also the overall gray of the bird with no additional colors around the facial disk helps to identify it too.


Cool/Interesting Facts

Where I've seen them

Please note that owls in particular are very sensitive birds. If you find one, especially if you find a nesting site, please be careful who you share this information with and how you share it.

I've seen a few Western Screech Owls, most were in my own neighborhood in Pleasant Grove, UT. They tend to spend the day perched near the trunks of trees or in crevices or holes. They will nest in boxes if you want to attract them to your yard.

I have also hear/seen them up the Nebo Loop and by the Goshen Warm Springs area.

Similar Birds
Great Horned Owl
Burrowing Owl
Short-eared Owl

Sources
allaboutbirds.org

White-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

I was on my way to a job, making balloons for the masses, when I stopped in a rest area just outside of Duchesne, Utah. I typically try to give myself extra time when I travel in case I need to pull over because I get drowsy or if there happens to be a lot of construction. This time neither had happened and I had quite a bit of time on my hands and there were paved trails up behind the restrooms. I got my camera and binoculars and headed up. I was hoping to find a Juniper Titmouse, a small nondescript gray bird with a cute tuft on its head. The rest stop was mostly scrub oak, but there was a little stand of Juniper that got my hopes up. As I approached I could see a little bird making its way through the branches. I put the binoculars up to my eyes and sure enough I had found my bird. My binoculars went down and my camera went up. I got pictures but the little guy refused to let me get a nice clear unobstructed one. I crept closer. Suddenly I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. On the trunk of a small scrub oak I saw a little white bird, its head was parallel to the ground but its body was parallel to the trunk of the tree, tail in the air. I was too excited about the Titmouse to be distracted, I figured I would come back for the white bird later. I did not see it again that day, or get a picture, but there was no mistaking what it was. I'd seen my first White-breasted Nuthatch.

Identification Tips

This is a small (sparrow sized) bird that like all Nuthatches seems to have a lot of energy. The back is gray and black the head white with a black cap and dark eye. The Bill is slightly upturned. The chest and belly are white/gray and the undertail a rusty red color.

Cool/Interesting Facts

I will update this part as I learn more about the bird.

Where I've seen them

These are generally mountain birds, though I have seen them in lower elevations.

Duchesne rest stop has a few, I've seen them there reliably 3 times now.
I've also seen them at the Nebo Bench Trailhead in the Nebo Loop.

Similar Birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch



The Red and White-breasted Nuthatches are similar in size. The Red-breasted Nuthatch has a distinctive red breast and a thick black eyeline.





Black-capped Chickadee

The Black-capped Chickadee is a smaller bird than this Nuthatch. Also it will have a black chin that is missing from this bird. Chickadees also make a very distinctive "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee" sound that can help distinguish them.





Mountain Chickadee




Like the Black-capped Chickadee this bird is smaller than a Nuthatch. It also has the black chin and a white eyebrow.





Gray Catbird
This bird is much, much larger than a Nuthatch. It is almost uniform gray except for the rust/red under the tail.


Sources:
allaboutbirds.org

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

I had been Assistant Scoutmaster for only a few months. The scouts were supposed to go on a nature hike and identify 10 signs of different animals. I decided to head up to Big Springs and see what might be up there. Mostly I wanted to be able to identify anything the boys might find. It was late winter/early spring. It was a little chilly but not too bad. I had just crossed into an area of dense evergreens, snow dotted the ground in places and I spied them. They were fast! They darted from tree to tree quicker than I could follow. Luckily there were a lot of them. I jotted down some notes as to their appearance and figured I would find out what they were when I got home. It took me two weeks of internet searching but when I finally figured out it was a Red-breasted Nuthatch I was hooked! This was the beginning of a birder.

Identification Tips:

These are quick and small (think sparrow size). This bird is cobalt blue on the back and redish orange on the breast. It has a black cap and eyeline with a white eyebrow. The chin is also white. The beak is black and slightly upturned. Nuthatches can often be seen on a tree with their heads pointed toward the ground, though they can perch with the head up as well. Male and female birds are identical in plumage, there is no separate breeding plumage with this bird.

Their call can be described as a "yank yank" and is very recognizable.

Cool/Interesting Facts

I will continue to update as I find out cool or interesting things.

Where I've seen them

They are often found in mountainous areas and I've personally found they like evergreen trees. They can be found lower in the valley during winter. They are often in groups (large or small).

I have spotted them at the Nebo Bench Trailhead and Devil's Kitchen in the Nebo Loop.
I have also spotted them at Big Springs in the Provo Canyon-  They were quite a ways up the trail.

Similar Birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

While the area under the tail is red, this nuthatch is lacking the red breast and the bold eyeline of the Red-breasted Nuthatch





American Robin

This bird is much, much bigger than the Red-breasted Nuthatch. I have also never seen it perch with its head down. While it can have a bluish back and does have red breast it does not have the cap and eyeline like the nuthatch.





Brown Creeper

Brown Creepers move very similarly to nuthatches. The brown color and downturned beak should be enough to rule this one out pretty quickly.



Sources:
allaboutbirds.org