The Dangers of the Eastern Screech Owl

The eastern screech owl is a small bird of prey, only standing 7 to 10 inches tall when it's full grown, and it lives in many sections in eastern U.S., the Midwest, Canada and Mexico. Although it's a small, highly adaptable bird, it still faces some dangers as a result of habitat destruction and human encroachment. In some cases, habitat encroachment may also lead to dangers for other people.

  1. Habitat Encroachment

    • Habitat encroachment and urban sprawl can have a negative effect on the eastern screech owl as well as people within its habitat. Eastern screech owls generally nest in hollow trees, which are often removed from urban parks and residential areas. However, as an alternative, eastern screech owls may also nest in boxes provided by homeowners or take over the boxes that are already inhabited by other birds. One of the dangers to both people and owls occurs during the winter when eastern screech owls typically hunt near roadways where they may be hit by oncoming vehicles.

    Competition

    • Another danger to roosting eastern screech owls is competition with other birds. If someone disturbs the eastern screech owl, its roosting position may be taken by other birds, such as crows, which may mob the screech owl and steal its prey.

    Characteristics

    • The eastern screech owl is a small bird with two color phases, appearing in both gray and red plumage. The song of the male eastern screech owl sounds like the whinnying of a horse. However, the female's call resembles a bark or hoot and is primarily heard when she is defending the nest. The eastern screech owl's diet mainly consists of insects as well as small birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The birds typically have a wingspan of 56 centimeters and weigh around 200 grams.

    Threats and Natural Predators

    • Predators of the eastern screech owl include minks, weasels, raccoons, skunks, snakes, crows, blue jays, hawks and other owl species, including the great horned owl, snowy owls, long-eared owls and barred owls. In order to avoid the habitat of the great horned owl, eastern screech owls will typically avoid densely wooded areas and high elevation forests. Other dangers to the eastern screech owls include parasites and diseases such as the avian pox and malaria. Since the eastern screech owl sits near the top trophic levels of the food chain, they are also vulnerable to bioaccumulation of environmental toxins and pesticides.