Screech Owl, Eastern

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

• Owl eyes: shows a nictitating membrane, an owl's second eyelid

Teacher Lesson Plans

• "Radical Raptors"
  • See an owl in-flight silhouette

Eastern Screech Owl Range
Minnesota Ornithologists' Union bird range map

Additional Information (not specifically about owls):
Publications