The Eastern Screech-Owl

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Ranked #497 in Animals, #13,983 overall

An Elusive Little Horned Owl

The Eastern Screech Owl is an elusive nocturnal bird of prey. It is one of the smaller owls, but is every bit as fierce as its larger brethren. This horned owl is often referred to as the trilling or quavering owl due to its distinctive call, which varies from a low whistle or whinny to a hoot.

The Eastern Screech-Owl

Description 

The Eastern Screech-owl is a small bird measuring just 8 inches in height. It is dichromatic, which means they come in 2 distinct color patterns. Their plumage is either uniformly gray or uniformly rufous. Both color morphs include darker streaks on the head, back, wings, and breast. The Eastern Screech-Owl is well camouflaged against the bark of a tree.

It is a stocky bird with a short tail, broad wings, and a larage round head. It can be identified by its prominent ear tufts and white eyebrows.

Range and Habitat 

The Eastern Screech-owl can be found throughout the eastern United States from Florida and Texas in the south to as far north as southern Canada. They are highly adaptable and can be found in a wide variety of habitats. They inhabit wooded areas as well as settle in parks and suburban areas. They can adapt to the presence of humans and will even use bird boxes for nesting.

Eastern Screech-Owl 

Screech owl stare by wolfpix

Screech owl stare

screech owl by kthypryn

screech owl

screech owl by kthypryn

screech owl

A wink & a nod by kthypryn

A wink & a nod

Screech Owl (with red eye) by kthypryn

Screech Owl (with re...

Screech Owl by saiberiac

Screech Owl

automatically generated by Flickr

Be careful! If you wander too close to the Screech-Owl's nest, it may swoop down and peck you on the head.

Mating and Nesting 

As with most owls, the Eastern Screech-Owl does not construct its own nest. Thy are cavity nesters and will use natural cavities or those created by other animals. They will nest in bird boxes if they are readily available.

Screech-Owls form monogamous pairs and remain together for life. The female lays as average 3 to 4 eggs but can lay as many as 8 depending on the availability of prey. The eggs are incubated for approximately 26 days. The young usually fledge between 30 and 32 days after hatching.

Owl Houses 

Looker Screech Owl House

Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 12/18/2009)Buy Now

Diet 

The Eastern Screech-owl will feed on whatever is readily aviable, mice, rats, voles, birds, insects, and reptiles. It will perch on a low limb in open woods, and along forest edgest. Once it spots it prey, it swoops down and snatches it. They hunt predominately at night or near dusk. They use their excellent hearing and night vision to locate their prey.

The Eastern Screech-Owls are dichromatic. Some are gray and others rusty colored. Age, season, and sex doesn't have any bearing on the color.

Voice 

The Eastern Screech-Owl has a variety of calls, including mating calls. It will whinny which is like a low whistle and it will trill. When attacked, it will screech.

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars 

Perfect for watching Owls and other Birds of Prey

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars


Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch Binoculars

The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.

Owls of the United States and Canada 

Owls of the United States and Canada: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior

Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 12/18/2009)Buy Now

Wayne Lynch began work as a full-time science writer and photographer in 1979. Today he is the author of numerous award-winning books and television documentaries and one of Canada's best-known and most widely published photographers.

Owls of the World 

Owls of the World: Their Lives, Behavior and Survival

Amazon Price: (as of 12/18/2009)Buy Now

Reviews Posted on Amazon.com
A fascinating portrait of 205 species of owl... explores myth and legends... intriguing facts are brought to light. -- Suzanne Hively, Cleveland Plain Dealer 11/26/2003

Copious color photographs effectively illustrate concepts and enhance the book's visual appeal... a valuable addition to any natural history collection. -- Catherine Jeanjean, Library Journal 12/01/2003

Extremely accessible yet scientific work... Many of the numerous color photographs are breathtakingly beautiful. -- Nancy Bent, Booklist / RBB 12/15/2003

Have you seen any interesting birds lately? 

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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,009 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments". See all my lenses

Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America 

by Chris G. Earley

Hawks and Owls of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America

Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 12/18/2009)Buy Now

A nice handy guide to hawks and owls, especially for beginners and less experienced birders... Robert E. Hoopes, Wildlife Activist 06/2004

An excellent identification guide... the photos are well chosen... the text is clear and concise. Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune 08/18/2004

Resources used to construct this page. 

Dunn, J.L. & Alderfer, J., Editors. 2006. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. National Geographic Society.

Lynch, W. 2007. Owls of the United States and Canada. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.

Carolina Raptor Center
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Eastern Screech-Owl, University of Minnesota Raptor Center
Eastern Screech Owl-Otus asio, Owling.com

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