The Whiskered Screech-Owl is a montane species, not typically found below 1,000 m ASL (3,300 feet), with most of its range in Central America. It is resident on slopes and in highlands from Nicaragua north (though not contiguously) through western Mexico to southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico. At least in the northern parts of its range, it is associated with pine-oak forests and riparian forests in canyons. In the southern portion of its range, it also uses other habitats including tropical dry forest and cloud forest.

Although the Whiskered Screech-Owl is abundant in good habitat, may have expanded its range in New Mexico, and despite the fact that its population is not well tracked, there are concerns that it is now experiencing declines. With its small population size in the U.S.A., it is considered a PIF yellow watchlist species. Changes to forest habitats, urbanisation and perhaps the impact of climate change in montane habitats are considered threats to this species’ survival.

Primary Habitats:

Breeding: Mexican pine-oak forests; Pine-oak forests
Wintering: Mexican pine-oak forests

Major Threats:

Changing Forest Conditions, Urbanization, Climate Change

Conservation Status:

Population Loss Since 1970: 15-50%
Urgency/Half Life: N/A
Global Conservation Status: IUCN 2019-1 – Least Concern
U.S. Conservation Status: N/A
Canadian Conservation Status: N/A
Birds of Conservation Concern: USFWS – Bird of Conservation Concern

Conservation Responsibilities:

Region	Area Importance	Long-term Population Change	Half Life
Sonoran Joint Venture	22%	***	***

*** indicates insufficient or unreliable data to calculate a regional long-term change or half-life estimate.

Conservation Opportunities:

Species Conservation Plans:

Key Species References:

Peer Reviewed Papers:

Gehlbach, F. R., N. Y. Gehlbach, P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten. 2017. Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis), version 3.0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.

Management Guide:

Birds of North America (BNA) Species Account

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