# Eastern Screech-Owl (*Megascops asio*) The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small owl that can be gray or red. They are great at hiding in trees and make a funny sound that sounds like a whistle. These owls are active at night and love to hunt for insects and small animals. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 23 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eastern Screech-Owl](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern_Screech_Owl.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wolfgang Wander, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_Screech_Owl.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Screech-Owl is a small, stocky owl with striking yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts. It comes in two distinct color variations: a rufous (reddish-brown) morph and a gray morph. These color forms provide excellent camouflage, helping it blend perfectly with tree bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Megascops ## Interesting facts - Eastern Screech-Owls can sing duets with their mate, a rare and charming owl trait! - These owls sometimes shiver, mimicking a swaying branch to hide from predators! - They often nest in old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities, not building their own. - They sometimes store extra food, like mice, in their tree cavities for later snacks! ## Special abilities - **Silent Hunter:** Eastern Screech-Owls can fly almost silently because their specialized feathers have soft fringes that muffle sound, helping them surprise prey. - **Head Swivel:** Eastern Screech-Owls can turn their heads nearly 270 degrees because their eyes are fixed, allowing them to scan surroundings for prey. - **Instant Camouflage:** Eastern Screech-Owls have two distinct color morphs that help them blend perfectly into different tree barks, making them almost invisible. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-25 cm - **Wingspan:** 48-61 cm - **Weight:** 0.121-0.244 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-10 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-6 - **Incubation:** 26-30 days ## Diet & Feeding These small predators eat mostly insects and small mammals, hunting at night. - **Primary Foods:** Mice, Voles, Large insects, Small birds, Frogs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — A primary prey species for the owl. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Often preys on screech-owls in shared habitats. - **Shelter:** [Pileated Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pileated-woodpecker) (*Dryocopus pileatus*) — Utilizes old tree cavities created by this species for nesting. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch owls from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Screech-Owl? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Screech-Owl? 16-25 cm ### What is Eastern Screech-Owl's wingspan? 48-61 cm ### How much does Eastern Screech-Owl weigh? 0.121-0.244 kg ### How long does Eastern Screech-Owl live? 2-10 years ### How fast can Eastern Screech-Owl move? 45 km/h ### What does Eastern Screech-Owl eat? These small predators eat mostly insects and small mammals, hunting at night. ### Where is Eastern Screech-Owl usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Kentucky Horse Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-horse-park) — Kentucky, US · Nature Reserve - [Lilacia Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilacia-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Bailey Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bailey-arboretum) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buckingham-female-collegiate-institute-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Carrollton](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carrollton) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Eastern Screech-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-screech-owl) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Eastern Screech-Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-screech-owl)