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Eastern Screech Owl
Eastern screech owl kathy horner
Names
Common Name: Eastern Screech Owl
Scientific Name: Megascops asio
Appearance
Grey or red plumage, ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a grey-green bill
Behavior
Similar to the Western Screech Owl, but with different voice and beak color

The Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) is a small owl native to North America.

Information[]

Description[]

A midsized Screech Owl, it can be 6-10 in (16-25 cm) long, weigh between 4.2-8.8 oz (121-250 g), and have a wingspan of 18-24 in (46-61 cm). Unlike the Western Screech Owl, which are all grey, the Eastern Screech has two color morphs: grey and red. Another way to tell them apart is the beak color, being black-gray in Western, but olive-yellow in Eastern.

Males have lower-pitched voices than females. Their A-song is a trill, while their B-song is a whinny.

Ecology[]

The Eastern Screech inhabits open mixed woodlands near meadows or fields, orchards, parks, wooded suburban areas, and riparian woods along streams or wetlands. They avoid dense forests because of Great Horned Owls. It has adapted to manmade developments, but its nocturnal habits help it avoid detection.

It is found throughout east North America and down into Mexico. Eastern and Western Screech Owls only occur together locally in eastern Colorado and southern Texas.

Diet[]

They hunt from dusk to dawn, either from perches or hovering. Small prey is swallowed whole, while larger prey is taken back to their perch and torn apart. Being opportunistic hunters, they will take whatever prey is most abundant. Small mice are preferred, but they will also take other rodents, shrews, bats, and moles. They also go after large insects, small reptiles, and small amphibians. On occasion they will even eat fish. Birds also make up a good part of the Eastern Screech Owl's diet, particularly small songbirds.

Their primary predators are larger owl species, including Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Spotted Owls, Long-Eared Owls, Short-Eared Owls, and Snowy Owls.

Breeding[]

Breeding begins around mid April. They prefer to nest in tree cavities, either natural or excavated by woodpeckers, but they will also use nest boxes, abandoned buildings, and barns. 2-8 eggs are laid, incubation is about 26 days, fledging in about 31 days. While brooding, males do the hunting, while the larger females defend the nest.

In captivity, the Eastern Screech can live over 20 years, but wilds birds seldom live that long.

Known Eastern Screech Owls[]

History[]

The Siege[]

While the Chaw of Chaws is infiltrating St. Aggie's, an owl who just received his new name, Mook, gives the speech about how questions are forbidden.

Trivia[]

  • The species name asio is Latin for "eared/horned owl".

Gallery[]

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