Eastern Screech-Owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small, compact owl with prominent ear tufts, occurring in two distinct color morphs: a gray morph with mottled gray-brown plumage that blends seamlessly with tree bark, and a less common rufous (reddish-brown) morph. Both morphs share intricately patterned, cryptic plumage that makes roosting birds extremely difficult to spot pressed against a tree trunk during the day.

Despite its name, this owl does not actually screech; its calls are a descending, whinnying trill and a soft, even-pitched trill, quite different from the harsh sounds the name suggests.

Key Field Marks

• Small size with prominent ear tufts
• Two color morphs: gray (more common) and rufous
• Intricately mottled and streaked plumage providing excellent camouflage against bark
• Yellow eyes

Similar Species

• Western Screech-Owl: nearly identical in shape and size but occurs in a separate, non-overlapping range in western North America; best distinguished by range and voice.
• Northern Saw-whet Owl: lacks ear tufts entirely and is smaller with a different, more rounded head shape.

Range

Eastern Screech-Owls are found throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada, from the Great Plains east to the Atlantic coast.

Habitat

They favor deciduous and mixed woodlands, but adapt readily to parks, suburban neighborhoods, and even urban areas with mature trees offering cavities for roosting and nesting.

Voice

The primary calls are a descending whinny (often likened to a horse's whinny) and a longer, even-pitched trill used in pair communication, both quite different from a true screech.

Hunting

They hunt at night from low perches, taking a varied diet of insects, small mammals, and small birds, and occasionally amphibians or earthworms.

Nesting

Eastern Screech-Owls nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, and readily accept nest boxes. Clutches typically contain three to five eggs, with the female doing most of the incubating.