Common Screech Owls

Screech owls are from the Strigidae family of owls. Some 26 species of screech owls make up the genus known as Megascops, all of which are native to the Americas. Many of these species can only be found in small areas of South and Central America, but four can be found more commonly across a greater range.

  1. Eastern Screech Owl

    • The eastern screech owl is a small species between 8 and 9 inches tall and weighing around 7 oz. They can be gray to reddish brown in color and have pointed, horn-like ears. They are found commonly on the east coast of the U.S., from southern Canada to northeast Mexico and as far west as Montana. The owl is nocturnal and feeds mainly on small mammals, birds and insects. Birds and flying insects are caught in flight, while rodents are pounced upon from above and trapped by the owl's talons.

    Western Screech Owl

    • The western screech owl is similar in appearance to the eastern variety. The main difference between the species is the western screech owl's gray to black beak, compared with the eastern screech owl's gray-green bill. They are also slightly more slender, weighing between 5 and 6 oz. Native to the west coast of the U.S., they can also be found in western Canada and deep into Mexico. Flying prey, like birds and insects, are taken on the wing, with small rodents pounced upon from above.

    Tropical Screech Owl

    • The tropical screech owl is small, ranging from 8 to 9 inches in height and between 3 to 5 oz. in weight. Mainly gray-brown in color, they have less prominent pointed ears than the eastern and western screech owls. The species is common in South America, mainly in the eastern and central regions. Tropical screech owls have even been reported in Trinidad. The owl's diet consists of small flying insects, birds, rodents and other small mammals.

    Whiskered Screech Owl

    • The whiskered screech owl is one of the smaller species, between 6 and 7 inches in height and between 3 and 4 oz. in weight. Generally they range in color from gray to reddish-brown and have coarse whiskers at the base of their beaks. They are found commonly in southern Arizona, down through Mexico and into Nicaragua. Like all screech owls, they favor woodland habitats and often hunt in forest clearings. Due to its small size, the species feeds mainly on insects and smaller birds and rodents.