EASTERN SCREECH OWL
Otus asio
Notable Physical Characteristics - Size - Habitat - Nesting - Hunting
Behavior - Call - Additional Information - Resources
Notable Physical Characteristics
Adult plumage either reddish or grey, depending on phase of color morph
Barred underbelly
Short ear tufts
Distinguished from the Western screech owl by greenish bill color
Yellow iris
Small owl
Wingspan: 20”
Length: 8.5”
Weight: 6 oz.
(Females are marginally larger than males)
Range across Eastern North America
Found in open woods at forest edge; avoid dense forested areas as Great Horned owls nest there
Mates breed once a year; will renest if the first clutch is lost
Nest exclusively in tree cavities, often using the same site in consecutive years
Usually lay 3-5 eggs
26 day incubation period
Chicks are fledged after one month
Hunt from dusk until dawn
Search for prey in flight over open fields
Eat small prey on spot, while larger prey is consumed in pieces from a nearby branch
Variety in diet, adapt according to availability
Regurgitate 2-4 medium sized pellets each day
Nocturnal
Territorial ranges are primarily defended during breeding season
Primary song resembles a whinnying horse
Second most frequently killed bird by moving vehicles after the American Robin
Cannibalistic
In overlapping territory, the Eastern Screech Owl can be distinguished from the Western by the difference in their call
Average 5 wingbeats/second
When threatened, the owl will tense its body to imitate a tree stub