Birds nocturnal

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio

The ghost of the backyard, the Eastern Screech-Owl is a pint-sized predator with a haunting call and camouflage so perfect it can disappear in plain sight.

7 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

6.3–9.8 inches (16–25 cm) in length; 18–24 inch (46–61 cm) wingspan; 4.3–8.6 oz (121–244 g)

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Colors

Comes in two distinct color morphs: gray and rufous (reddish-brown). Both feature intricate white and dark brown streaking that mimics tree bark. Eyes are a striking bright yellow.

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Key Features

Prominent ear tufts that can be raised or flattened
Bright yellow irises and a pale yellowish-green bill
Intricate 'bark-like' camouflage pattern
Small, stocky build with a very short tail

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM

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Season Year-round; most vocal during spring nesting (March-May) and autumn dispersal (September-October).

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Diet A highly opportunistic generalist eating large insects (cicadas, moths, beetles), small mammals (mice, voles), songbirds, and occasionally amphibians or reptiles.

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Habitat Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, suburban parks, and residential backyards with mature trees.

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Behavior

Despite their name, Eastern Screech-Owls rarely actually screech. Their most common vocalization is a haunting, tremolo 'whinny' or a low-pitched trill. They are master hiders, often spending their daylight hours tucked deep within a tree cavity or pressed tightly against a trunk, where their plumage blends perfectly with the bark. If they feel threatened, they will stretch their bodies and lean to resemble a broken branch.

These owls are solitary for much of the year but form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They are remarkably tolerant of humans and are frequent residents of suburban backyards, provided there are enough mature trees for nesting and hunting. They are sit-and-wait predators, perching on low branches and scanning the ground for movement before swooping down silently to strike.

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Camera Tips

To capture these elusive masters of camouflage, your best bet is to focus on their real estate. Eastern Screech-Owls are one of the most likely owl species to move into a man-made nesting box. Mount your camera on a nearby tree or post, roughly 5 to 8 feet away from the box entrance, and aim it slightly downward at the hole. If you don't have a box, look for natural cavities in mature oaks or maples. These owls often spend the day 'sunning' themselves at the entrance of their holes, particularly on cold winter mornings, providing a rare chance for a daytime shot.

Water is another fantastic draw for backyard trail cameras. Unlike many larger raptors, screech owls are frequent bathers. Position a camera low to the ground near a shallow, stone-lined bird bath or a moving water feature. To get the best night shots without spooking them, ensure your camera uses 'No-Glow' or 'Black' Infrared LEDs. Standard 'Low-Glow' LEDs emit a faint red light that these birds can see, which may cause them to avoid the area or stare nervously into the lens.

Since these birds are small and move with ghost-like speed, set your camera to its fastest trigger speed—ideally 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. If your device supports it, use 'Hybrid' mode to capture both a high-resolution still and a 10-second video clip. Seeing the way they swivel their heads or hearing their soft trill on video is much more rewarding than a static image. Avoid using meat baits, as this can attract unwanted predators like raccoons or outdoor cats that might threaten the owls; instead, focus on providing a habitat that attracts their natural prey like moths and mice.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eastern Screech-Owl.

Western Screech-Owl

Nearly identical in appearance, but has a darker bill and a 'bouncing ball' song rather than a whinny; found west of the Rockies.

Great Horned Owl

Much larger (roughly 4-5 times the weight) with a deep, booming hoot compared to the screech-owl's high trill.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Similarly small but lacks ear tufts and has a more rounded head with vertical white streaks on the forehead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eastern Screech-Owls are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are most active under the cover of darkness. You are most likely to hear them or capture them on camera between dusk and dawn, with activity peaks shortly after sunset and again just before sunrise.

The most effective way is to install a properly sized owl nesting box 10-20 feet high on a mature tree. Additionally, maintaining bird baths and leaving some leaf litter to encourage prey like insects and small rodents will make your yard a prime hunting ground.

They have one of the most varied diets of any North American owl. They eat large insects like beetles and crickets, small rodents like mice, and even small songbirds. They are also known to occasionally snack on earthworms, frogs, and lizards.

Yes, they are exceptionally adaptable and are common in suburbs and even urban parks. As long as there are enough trees for roosting and a steady supply of insects or rodents, they can thrive very close to human homes.

Size is the biggest giveaway; an Eastern Screech-Owl is about the size of a pint glass, while a Great Horned Owl is nearly two feet tall. While both have ear tufts, the screech-owl is much smaller and lacks the 'white throat' bib typically seen on the larger Great Horned Owl.

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