Owl (Western Screech)

A common small owl of the West, the Western Screech-Owl can be found in urban lower elevations as well as wild lands. The Western Screech Owl is likely to be confused with the Eastern Screech Owl These Owls can be distinguished by bill colour, the Eastern have gray-green bills while Western have gray to black bills) and different calls.

Occasionally takes prey larger than itself, including cottontail rabbits and Mallards.

Nocturnal, with activity generally beginning 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. Flight is noiseless with soft wing beats and gliding. Will become motionless if disturbed at roost, and can sometimes be caught by hand in this state. This owl is very aggressive when defending a nest site, and may attack humans.

The two young ones in the photo were removed to a safer area away from any harm. along with the adults. They were originaly nesting in a tree on the entrence of a hotel. 

photographed in the wild, Pheonix, AZ