Eastern Screech Owl
[Megascops asio]
The Eastern Screech Owl has a length of 7 to 10 inches, and the wingspan is 18 to 24 inches. Females are larger than males. There are two distinct color phases: gray and rufous. In the rufous phase they are fox-red above and whitish below with rufous crossbars and dark vertical streaks, and rufous facial disks. In the gray phase they are gray or gray-brown above, darker on the crown, heavily streaked and crossbarred, with the underparts whitish. In both phases the striping and bars make a perfect imitation of tree bark.
Location: Animals Formerly at Zoo
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Range
The range of the Eastern Screech Owl is North America.
Habitat
The habitat of the Eastern Screech Owl is open woodlands, forest clearings, old orchards, suburban parklands.
Conservation Status
Least ConcernPrimary Threats
Gestation
Incubation: About 30 days
Litter
Clutch: 2 to 6; usually 4. Larger and older females lay larger clutches.
Behavior
Eastern Screech Owls are strictly nocturnal. They do not migrate. Screech owls are exceptional hunters. The only time they screech is during the brief period when their babies have just left the nest and are beginning to fly. Instead, they trill, often in duet form, beginning and ending in perfect synchronism. Sometimes the trill is pitched at harmonic intervals of a third or a fifth.
Reproduction
Eastern Screech Owl nests are in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or man-made nesting boxes. Nests may be as high as 60 feet above the ground, or as low as 4 feet. The female is in charge of incubation and brooding. The male supplies all the food to the female during this period. Females deliberately choose very small males, and mate for life. Although the female may sacrifice the eggs if attacked, she will vigorously defend the fledglings. Screech owls defend their young so strongly that they have earned the description, “feathered wild cats”.
Wild Diet
Mainly insects. During winter months birds, small mammals, and reptiles are consumed.