Eastern Screech-Owl

Meet "Mischief" (left) and "Sierra" (right)! Both of these owls suffer from wing injuries.

About Eastern Screech-Owls
(Information taken from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

The Eastern Screech-Owl is found in nearly every habitat throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It is common in urban as well as rural areas and readily nests in nest boxes.

Description

• Size: 16-25 cm (6-10 in)
• Wingspan: 48-61 cm (19-24 in)
• Weight: 121-244 g (4.27-8.61 ounces)
• Small owl.
• Feathered ear tufts.
• Gray, brownish gray, or reddish-brown.
• Eyes yellow.
• Bill greenish.
• Toes feathered.
• May be gray, reddish, or brown.

Sex Differences

• Sexes alike in plumage, female larger.

Immature

• Immature like adult.

Food

• Insects, crayfish, earthworms, songbirds, rodents.

Range

Summer Range:

• Resident from central Montana and southeastern Saskatchewan eastward to southern Quebec, southward to Florida, western Texas, and northeastern Mexico.

Habitat

• Found in most habitats with trees, including urban and suburban areas.

Behavior

Foraging:

• Sit-and-wait predator. Hunts at night and in evening, occasionally during the day.

Reproduction

Nest Type:

• Nests in tree cavities; readily uses nest boxes. Adds no nesting material to cavity.

Egg Description:

• White.

Clutch Size:

• Usually 3-4 eggs. Range: 2-6.

Condition at Hatching:

• Covered in white down, eyes closed.

Conservation Status

• Widespread and common.

Sound

• Two common songs: A descending whistled whinny, and a whistled trill on one pitch. Calls hoots, barks, and screeches.

Our Other Educational Birds:

American Kestrel
Bald Eagle
Barred Owl
Great Blue Heron
Great Horned Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Red Tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough Legged Hawk
Saw Whet Owl
Screech Owl
Trumpeter Swan
Turkey Vulture

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