Eastern Screech-Owl

The Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) is a small, stocky owl native to eastern North America. Widely recognized for its exceptional camouflage, this nocturnal raptor easily blends into the bark of deciduous trees during the day. It is famous for displaying a genetic color polymorphism, occurring in two distinct color morphs—rufous (red) and gray—regardless of age or sex. Though common in suburban areas and city parks, its strictly nocturnal habits and quiet roosting behavior mean it is far more frequently heard than seen.

Physical Characteristics

• Size and Shape: A pint-sized owl with a chunky body, a square tail, and prominent, widely spaced ear tufts that can be raised or flattened.
• Face: Large, round head with yellow eyes and a pale greenish-yellow or horn-colored bill.
• Plumage Morphs:
  • Gray Morph: Highly intricate pattern of gray, white, and black vertical streaks and horizontal bars, mimicking rough tree bark.
  • Rufous (Red) Morph: Bright rusty-red overall with similar intricate bark patterns. Red morphs are more common in the southern part of their range.
  • Brown Morph: An intermediate form combining gray and rufous tones, occurring in transition zones.

Similar Species

• Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii): Extremely similar but has almost no geographic range overlap. Geographically, they meet along the eastern edge of the Rockies. The Western Screech-Owl has a darker (grey to black) bill and a different, "bouncing ball" trill.
• Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus): Smaller, lacks ear tufts, has dark eyes/bill, and possesses thick vertical brown streaks on its chest rather than intricate bark-like patterns.
• Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus): Has dark brown eyes (not yellow), is smaller, and is restricted to western pine forests.

Range and Migration

The Eastern Screech-Owl is a permanent, non-migratory resident throughout eastern North America. Its range extends from southeastern Canada southward to Florida and west to eastern Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas.

Habitat Preferences

These owls thrive in almost any habitat with mature trees, showing a strong preference for deciduous or mixed forests. They are highly adaptable and frequently inhabit:

• Suburban yards and gardens
• City parks and orchards
• Riparian woodlands bordering rivers and streams
• Woodlots adjacent to open agricultural fields

They generally avoid large, dense, unbroken tracts of coniferous forests, which are preferred by larger owls (such as the Great Horned Owl) that actively prey on screech-owls.

Voice and Calls

Despite their name, Eastern Screech-Owls rarely actually "screech." Their vocalizations are highly distinctive:

• A-whinny: An eerie, descending whinny call resembling a miniature horse, used to advertise territory.
• Monotone Trill: A long, continuous, single-pitch trill ("bounce") used between mated pairs or family members.

Diet and Hunting

They are opportunistic nocturnal hunters, active from dusk till dawn. Sitting on low perches, they scan the ground or air before pouncing on prey. Their diet changes seasonally and includes:

• Large insects (cicadas, beetles, moths, crickets)
• Small mammals (mice, voles, shrews)
• Songbirds (often taken directly from nocturnal roosts)
• Earthworms, frogs, tadpoles, and crayfish

Nesting and Reproduction

Eastern Screech-Owls are monogamous cavity nesters. They nest in natural tree hollows, abandoned woodpecker cavities, or artificial nest boxes. They do not add nesting material; the female lays 2 to 6 eggs directly on the underlying wood chips or organic debris. The male feeds the female while she incubates, and both parents actively defend the nest yard.