Eastern Screech-owl

Otus asio

The eastern screech-owl is a small, nocturnal raptor that has two color phases: gray and red. Adults have:

• A large head and flattened face with yellow, forward-facing eyes.
• Large, feathery "ear" tufts.
• A hooked bill and talons.

The eastern screech-owl grows to about 7 to 10 inches; females grow slightly taller than males.

Where does the eastern screech-owl live?

Eastern screech-owls can be found in parks, orchards, woodlands, farm groves and open fields throughout the Bay watershed.

What does the eastern screech-owl eat?

Eastern screech-owls are birds of prey, feeding on animals that are active at night, including:

• Spiders
• Moths and other large insects
• Fish
• Rodents
• Other birds
• Reptiles and amphibians

What does the eastern screech-owl sound like?

Eastern screech-owls have a distinctive call that varies from a hoot to a low whistle or whinny. Hearing their call is the best way to identify the presence of an eastern screech-owl, since they are rarely seen.

Where does the eastern screech-owl nest and breed?

Eastern screech-owls mate in late winter, making a nest in a tree cavity or abandoned bird house.

• The female screech-owl lays three to seven eggs that she incubates for about 26 days.
• While she is incubating the eggs, the male hunts for and brings food to the female.
• The parents can become aggressive if they sense a threat to their nesting area.
• Once the owlets hatch, both parents feed them until they are able to leave the nest. Young screech-owls may lack the “ear” tufts that mature eastern screech-owls have.

Other facts about the eastern screech-owl:

• The screech-owl has a silent, moth-like flight.
• The eastern screech-owl is the only small eastern owl in the Bay watershed that has ear tufts.