Eastern Screech Owl

Megascops asio

A common little owl often found in residential areas and parks, where their haunting calls are often the only indication of their presence.  There are various color morphs, but the gray morph is generally the most common in the state (shown in photo to the right).  Photos of both the gray and red morph can be seen in the photo links at the bottom of the page.

Habitat: Open forest, isolated groves, residential shade trees.  Generally needs dead trees with nesting holes.

Diet: Mostly insects and small rodents.  Will also eat frogs, lizards, earthworms, crustaceans, and small birds. 

Behavior: Forages at night, primarily by watching from a perch and swooping down when prey is spotted.  They can find prey both by sight and by sound, and are also capable of catching insects in flight.

Nesting: April and May

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Haunting descending whinny.

Migration: Permanent resident

Similar Species: Northern Saw-whet Owl

Nestboxes: Will use artificial nest boxes of appropriate size.

Status: Widespread, with numbers generally stable.  Well adapted to a human presence.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Eastern Screech Owl

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Eastern Screech Owl"

3) eNature.com -- Eastern Screech Owl

Photo Information: May 5th, 2002 -- McKennan Park in Sioux Falls -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Eastern Screech Owl photos.