The Eastern Screech Owl is one of North America’s smallest and most astonishing owls. Though its name suggests a “screech,” over time you’ll come to recognize its soft descending whinny and gentle rhythmic trill, sounds that are more mysterious than startling.

Appearance & Morphs

These owls come in two distinct color morphs: Gray and Rufous (red-toned). Both morphs share ear tufts (“horns”), large yellow eyes, and a compact build that often measures just 6 to 10 inches in height, with a wingspan of about 18-24 inches. Whether blending into lichen-covered bark or a reddish deciduous trunk, the variation in color helps them disappear into woodland and suburban settings alike.

Habitat, Range & Survival Strategy

You’ll find Eastern Screech Owls in woodlands, lake-edge forests, old orchards, and even suburban neighborhoods. Typically non-migratory, they maintain a territory year-round across the eastern United States, parts of southern Canada, and even into Mexico. These owls select cavities in trees, nest boxes, or fence posts, rarely digging their own. Their survival depends on camouflage, quiet flight, and opportunistic hunting.

Diet & Hunting Behavior

Night after night they prove themselves agile predators. Their menu includes mice, voles, beetles, crickets, sometimes small birds, reptiles and amphibians, and even crustaceans in some habitats. Soundless flight thanks to soft-edged feathers, paired with excellent night-vision and acute hearing, makes them extraordinary hunters after dark.

Vocalizations

Instead of the dramatic screech many expect, listen for a soft monotone trill or a descending whinny, try “whi-rrr-rrrr-rrrrr-rrr”, echoing through the forest on a warm evening. These calls often begin during the warm months and breeding season, contributing a haunting voice to spring nights in suburban and rural areas.

Behavior & Nesting

Eastern Screech Owls are cavity-nesters that rely on tree rot holes, old woodpecker holes, or even human-made nest boxes. The female usually remains with the eggs and early chicks while the male hunts. Once the chicks mature, the whole family may branch out near the nest as they learn to fly. Typically 3-5 chicks per brood.

Conservation Status & How You Can Help

While they are not currently endangered, these owls face threats such as habitat loss, window collisions, predation by larger raptors, and secondary poisoning from rodenticides. You can support local populations by installing nest boxes in safe areas and reducing pesticide use around your property.

Thank you for reading!