Facts about Eastern Screech-owl
- 07
Rodents comprise a significant portion of Eastern Screech-owl winter diets, with mice and voles becoming primary prey when insect populations decline in colder months.
- 06
Approximately 85 percent of Eastern Screech-owl diet consists of arthropods including insects, spiders, and crayfish, with vertebrate prey becoming more common during winter months when insects are scarce.
- 05
Pairs of Eastern Screech-owls remain bonded year-round, with both males and females aggressively defending their 2 to 5 acre territories even during non-breeding months.
- 04
Cavity nesting in dead trees or abandoned woodpecker holes allows Eastern Screech-owls to breed successfully across their range from southern Canada to Mexico.
- 03
Only 7 to 10 inches long, the Eastern Screech-owl is one of North America's smallest owl species, weighing between 4.3 and 8.6 ounces on average.
- 02
Eastern Screech-owls produce two distinct calls: a descending whinny and a trill that can last up to two seconds, with males typically calling more frequently during breeding season.
- 01
Their reddish morph plumage provides camouflage matching tree bark, while gray morphs blend into lichen-covered branches in Eastern Screech-owl populations.