Small all grey with white face owl in Southern Michigan?

Question

I saw a small owl (I would say 6-7 inches tall) that was all pale grey with a lighter colored facial disk. I have been trying to find something that looks like it online, but can't find anything with pictures....

Anyone have any idea what it might be, so that I have some idea which direction I should look in....

I have lived here 35 year and never seen an owl - so this is kinda neat, I would just like to figure out what it is....could it be a young version of something else? I have no idea how fast birds grow.

Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks a bunch

Much paler grey than those links I think - and the face appeared almost totally round - almost like there is no "brow ridge"

I'll stumble around those links and see if I find anything. I'll post it if I figure it out.

Answer 1

is it this? (link)

its the only small owl i can find that is in michigan

Northern Sawhet Owl

Answer 2

Well, the round-faced owls up your way would include Short-eared (which is rather larger than 6") and some bigger relatives. The only owl that reminds me of your description is a Barn Owl, but the size is wrong. Burrowing Owls are the right size and round-headed, but (a) southern Michigan is wayyyy out of their normal range, and (b) they have relatively long, bare legs which you would very likely notice. My best guess would normally be a young Barn Owl, but this is long past the normal breeding seaon for them, so it beats the heck out of me...

Answer 3

I wonder if you saw a pygmy owl if you are positive it wasn't a saw-whet.
http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/owls/npygmy.html
http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Glaucidium&species=californicum

This is all the species on this continent
http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?location=North+America

Eye color is a big guide in getting the correct owl. Do you remember if the eyes were light or dark?

I remember the first owl I saw, a Snowy Owl down from the tundra, it was pretty exciting. Horned Owls are common enough here we get warnings posted to keep people away from their nest trees or they get testy.

Answer 4

I live in Wisconsin. We had a family of screech owls living in a tree behind our house. They seem to fit the description:

Adult (gray phase) - facial disks dusky white with fine gray-brown mottling, bordered by black. The iris is bright yellow and the bill is gray-green, with tufts of bristly feathers around its base. Overall gray-brown, with gray narrow vertical stripes, bars, and spots on underparts, and barred wings and tail - legs light cinnamon buff, and toes are yellow.

Size: Female average Length:23cm (9.2") Wingspan:56cm (22") Weight:208g (7.3oz)
Male average Length:21cm (8.2") Wingspan:54 cm (21") Weight:200 g (7oz)

http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Megascops&species=asio

Answer 5

eNature.com lists 12 owls native to the Great Lakes area. Of these, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is the only one that matches the size you give.

Go here to see all 12: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/view_default.asp?curGroupID=1&source=&parkid=&fromWhere=&searchText=&allSpecies=&shapeID=960&lshapeID=0&curAbbr=&lgFromWhere=&curPageNum=1&lastView=default&lastGroup=1&lastRegion=&lastFilter=4&lastShapeName=&trackType=&curRegionID=2205&size=&habitat=&fruit=&color=&sortBy=family&viewType=default&curFamilyID=®ionSelect=Great+Lakes®ionZIP=