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Eastern Screech-Owl


The Eastern Screech-Owl (Otus asio) is possibly one of the most easily-recognized owl in eastern North America.  It is a small bird, 8-10 inches in length that comes in 2 color morphs: a gray morph and a red morph.  There are also intermediates between these two morphs that are more of a reddish brown color.  The Eastern Screech-Owl has ear tufts, which it can lay down to give the head a rounded appearance.  It also has yellow eyes, a pale bill, streaked underparts, white spots on the shoulders, and it is a bright rusty brown to gray color. 

Eastern Screech-Owls are nocturnal and become active at dusk.  They feed on a wide variety of animals including insects, spiders, crawfish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish.  The song of the Eastern Screech-Owl is a series of quivering, descending whistles or a low trill that is all on one pitch.

These little owls are found in a variety of habitats including woodlots, forests, swamps, and gardens.  This owl is considered widespread  and fairly common.

For additional information and a range map, click here.

Click on the player below to hear Eastern Screech-Owl Vocalizations.

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  • Home
  • Animals
    • Birds >
      • Avian Taxonomy
      • Bird Species Profiles
    • Mammal Species Profiles
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians >
      • Frog and Toad Species Profiles
    • Fish
    • Arthropods >
      • Arthropod Species Profiles
  • Plants
    • Native Plant Societies
    • Eastern Plant Identification Guide
  • Fungi
    • Fungi Species Profiles
  • Protists
  • Nature Products Store
  • Cell Phone Ringtones
  • Madbird Feeder Cam
  • Ramblings of the Madbird Biologist
  • Bird Videos
  • News in Science
  • Nature Inspired Recipes
  • An Introduction to Scientific Classification and Naming
  • Birds in the Classroom
  • Resources
  • About Me