Additional Species

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio

Tree cavities, cottonwood-willow creekbottoms, and urban parks north of Palmer Divide and east of Continental Divide, March-June. Fairly common along South Platte River and tributaries. Listen for two territorial calls (a soft, horse-like whinny; and a rapid series of "hoo" notes, like a bouncing ping-pong ball), December-March, and again June-July. They respond to recorded playbacks of their territorial calls.

Flammulated Owl

Psiloscops flammeolus

Tree cavity, usually in ponderosa pine, pinon pine, or aspen, 2000-2800 m, May- July. They begin vocalizing (short, resonant hoots) shortly after arriving from the south in early May. These fist-sized owls hunt moths and other insects in remote foothills canyons. Once you have located a territory by listening for the hooting males, search tree cavities at dusk or listen for the loud hissing sound that fledglings make when begging for food.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus

Tree cavity (often ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, or aspen), foothills, plateaus, and mountains, April-July. They vocalize (a series of high, hollow, persistent whistles) March-May and respond readily to take playbacks. Since they are entirely nocturnal and cryptically colored, most nests are discovered by accident.

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

Nest statewide in caves of remote cliffs, May-August. They will not enter their nesting cave if humans are nearby. Most nests have been discovered by accident by rock climbers. Fledging time varies by location of the nest. Nestlings in elevated nests (like cliffs) fledge faster than those closer to the ground with less exposure to thermals.

Western Screech-Owl

Megascops kennicottii

Tree cavities and sometimes cliff cavities, cottonwood-willow creekbottoms, and pinon-juniper woodlands, west of Continental Divide and south of Palmer Divide, March-June. Listen for their territorial call (a rapid series of soft hoots), January-June. Call is distinct from those of eastern screech-owl, but these two species are difficult to distinguish visually.