Sahuaro Screech Owl in Coachella Valley, California
Sahuaro Screech Owl in Coachella. Valley, California
On December 11, 1932, after a long hike back into a small caiion of the Santa Rosa Mountains, about twelve miles southwest of Coachella, my husband called my attention to an object that appeared to be wedged into a small round opening in the perpendicular side of the canon wall, twelve to fifteen feet above the ground. Observing it closely for several minutes and deciding it was a forked stick resembling an owl, the knot holes like slits of closed eyes, we determined to get it.
Finding toe-holds in the rocks Mr. Clary climbed nearly opposite before there was an almost imperceptible wink to indicate to the observer below that it was in truth a small owl. But just as his hand was about to close over it this small owl, robin size, which we took to be the Sahuaro Screech Owl (Otus asio gilmani) slipped out of the crevice and made its unhurried flight down the canon to where it turned again into the protective coloring of the rocky canon wall not over a hundred feet away. The pronounced horns, small size, and pale gray coloring were all distinctive. The owl was seen at close range, and in flight passed within arm’s reach, so that the wing pattern was easily discernible. This is the first record of this species made by the writer in this section.
Mrs. Ben L. Clary
Coral Reef Ranch, Coachella, California, January 27, 1933
