Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio)

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Eastern Screech Owl (Strigidae: Otus asio)

The Eastern Screech Owl is the most common, widespread owl species of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. This owl is found throughout the eastern half of the United States and extends into extreme southeastern Canada as well.

Identifying Features: A number of owl species have tufts of feathers from the margins of the top of the head, so-called "ears". The Eastern Screech Owl is the smallest of the "eared owls" in the Eastern Deciduous forest and are about 10 inches in length. The species occurs in two color forms; a red-brown form and a gray form. Both forms are mottled in appearance.

Similar Species: Two other "eared" owls; the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) and the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) are found in the Eastern Deciduous Forest (photographs are on the left at the bottom). Both species are much larger than the Eastern Screech Owl. The Great Horned Owl is 25 inches in length. The face of the Great Horned Owl is rusty brown and heavily margined with black. The Long-eared Owl is about 15 inches in length and has a distinctive white, gray, and black margined patch between the eyes.

Habitat: The Eastern Screech Owl occupies a variety of habitats of the Eastern Deciduous Forest including forest, woodlots, orchards, and suburban areas.

Food: Eastern Screech Owls are predators on a number of small mammals.

Behavior: Screech Owls are nocturnal (like most other owls), hunting at night and being inconspicuous during the daytime. Their coloration makes them very difficult to see during the day. The call of the Screech Owl is a quavering whistle, descending at the end.

Reproduction: Screech Owls nest in tree cavities or nest boxes. Three to 8 white eggs are placed in the cavity without a nest lining.

Notes: Eastern Screech Owls are protective of their nests are are known to strike people on the head during the night if you get too close. It's quite a suprise, because you rarely see who did it to you.