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
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
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
Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars
Perfect for watching Owls and other Birds of Prey
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.
Some of My Favorite Owls


Little Brothers
The Barred Owl
The Common Barn Owl
The Eastern Screech-owl

Big Brothers
The Great Grey Owl
The Great Horned Owl
The Snowy Owl
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)![]()
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)![]()
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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Reply
- nina_kuriloff nina_kuriloff Dec 11, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
- This is a very interesting Lens!
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Sep 1, 2009 @ 6:34 am
- Owls are so fascinating and so is this lens. Welcome to the South Carolina Group.
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- AndyPo AndyPo Feb 13, 2009 @ 11:17 am
- Cute. I love the ears. Another excellent lens.
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- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Oct 25, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
- Lensrolled to our Nestbox Trails and Halloween - Why Cats, Bats,.... Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens links to the appropriate plexos and vote for them.
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 11, 2008 @ 10:14 am
- What an absolutely spectacular picture you have of this owl. That needs to be a print for sure. Owls are so cool to listen to.
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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)![]()
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.
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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by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.













