Eastern Screech Owl
Feb 7th, 2008 by Josey
Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)
The Eastern Screech Owl is found in perhaps in the widest array of habitat types of any owl within its range, which is mainly the eastern half of the United States. It occupies forests, woodlands, suburban and urban yards and parks, and it nests in tree cavities.
Eastern Screech Owls are nocturnal owls with piercing yellow eyes. They come in two colors a gray phase and a reddish phase. Gray owls are southern states. They are six to ten inches in length, weigh between 4 to 9 ounces, and have a wingspan from 18 to 24 inches. Male and female Eastern Screech Owls are similar in appearance, and pairs remain together for life.
The Eastern Screech Owl prefers to hunt after dark. Its diet consists of large insects, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, bats, spiders, scorpions, snails and earthworms. They sometimes eat from 1/4 to 1/4 of their own body weight in a single night. They also store food for later consumption.
Most vocalizations of the Eastern Screech Owl are trill-like. They also make a “hoot” sound, made when it is alarmed by intruders or predators.
By Josey Layne