Bird field guide · Typical Owls

Photographing the Western Screech-Owl

How to photograph the Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (May, June, July and August).

17–70 cm1/2000 s
Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)
Photo: © Rocio Reybal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rocio Reybal via iNaturalist
17–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/250–1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/4–f/5.6
Aperture
7,016
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/250–1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/4–f/5.6
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionMostly crepuscular: lean on a fast lens, high ISO and stabilisation; keep distance and avoid flash at nests.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 44 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)133 mm199 mm89 mm66 mm
10 m (33 ft)266 mm397 mm177 mm133 mm
15 m (49 ft)399 mm596 mm266 mm199 mm
20 m (66 ft)532 mm795 mm354 mm266 mm
30 m (98 ft)798 mm1,192 mm532 mm399 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,329 mm1,987 mm886 mm665 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 6% Jan Feb: 6% Feb Mar: 8% Mar Apr: 8% Apr May: 12% May Jun: 13% Jun Jul: 12% Jul Aug: 10% Aug Sep: 8% Sep Oct: 6% Oct Nov: 5% Nov Dec: 6% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: May, June, July and August.

About the Western Screech-Owl#

The western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) is a small owl native to North and Central America, closely related to the European scops owl and the Description

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Never bait or call owls excessively; stay on trails.
  • A long lens (500 mm+) keeps a respectful distance.
  • Mostly crepuscular: lean on a fast lens, high ISO and stabilisation; keep distance and avoid flash at nests.
  • Sightings peak in May, June, July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Typical Owls#

Great Horned Owl Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus Barred Owl Barred OwlStrix varia Burrowing Owl Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio Snowy Owl Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium brasilianum Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Western Screech-Owl?

At about 44 cm long, a western screech-owl fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 266 mm, or at 20 m with 532 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Western Screech-Owl?

1/250–1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Western Screech-Owl?

Observations in North America peak in May, June, July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources