COMMON NAME: Eastern Screech Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Otus asio
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:
A small owl standing only about eight inches high, the screech owl is identified
by its prominent ear tufts and white "eyebrows." It is often mistaken
for a baby great horned owl. The screech owl has two color phases, gray and
red.
RANGE:
Found across North America and south into Mexico, this owl is not found in
Minnesota north of Itasca county.
HABITAT:
The screech owl is found in woodlands bordered with open fields. It is not
uncommon to find screech owls in urban areas.
NESTING:
The screech owl is a cavity nester that will use nest boxes.
FEEDING HABITS:
Screech owls will feed on a wide variety of prey, utilizing what is most
common. Some food items include small rodents, birds, insects, and reptiles.
RAPTOR
CENTER DATA:
A very common patient, screech owls are year-round residents of
Minnesota. As such, the clinic receives these birds at all times of the year.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Considered a common owl, the screech owl is not afforded any special status.
Other Web Resources:
QuickTime movie of baby screech owls being hand-fed at The Raptor Center
Animated GIFs
Teacher Lesson Plans
Eastern Screech Owl Range
Minnesota Ornithologists' Union bird range map
Additional Information (not specifically about owls):
Publications
