Eastern Screech-owl
(Megascops asio)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description
Size
Total length: 8″ to 9″
Wingspan: 20″ to 22″
Voice
The primary song is a strongly descending, horse-like whinny.
The tremolo song is a single long quavering trill all on the same pitch.
Similar Species
Habitat
Deciduous forests, open woodlands, forest and woodland edges, orchards, parks, shade trees in residential areas, riparian forests in dry areas
Ecology
Migration
Nesting
Food
Distribution
Occurrence
Uncommon year-round resident; declining
Maps
The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map
Taxonomy
Class
Aves (birds)
Order
Strigiformes (owls)
Family
Strigidae (typical owls)
Genus
Megascops (screech-owls)
Subordinate Taxa
Eastern Screech-owl (Megascops asio asio) 
Eastern Screech-owl (Megascops asio naevius)
Florida Screech-owl (Megascops asio floridanus)
Hasbrouck’s Screech-owl (Megascops asio hasbroucki)
Rocky Mountain Screech-owl (Megascops asio maxwelliae)
Texas Screech-owl (Megascops asio mccallii)
Synonyms
Otus asio
Strix asio
Visitor Photos
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Ramona Abrego |
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Captive owl – Wildlife Science Center |
Lynn Rubey |
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An owl (Eastern Screech-owl?) in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. |
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Andy Witchger |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Eastern Screech-Owl
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
"Northern" Eastern Screech-Owl
JMC Nature Photos
Eastern Screech-owl sound - call
Birds Inc.
Visitor Videos
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Other Videos
Through the Lens: Eastern Screech-Owl Camouflage
LabofOrnithology
Screech-Owl Whinnies & Trills - Exploration Day 2011
Don Gagnon
Eastern Screech-owl Calling
Solomon Miller
Eastern Screech-owl (Megascops asio)
Walter Fisher
eastern screech-owl at night
Ann Brokelman
Visitor Sightings
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Be sure to include a location.
Kathy Connelly
7/16/2021
Location: NW corner of Bde Maka Ska, on Ivy Lane
vocalizing at 10 pm, descending trill.
Ramona Abrego
6/19/2020
Location: Forest Lake
Captive owl – Wildlife Science Center
Lynn Rubey
1/1/2019
Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
An owl (Eastern Screech-owl?) in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.
Andy Witchger
3/20/2016
Location: Hennepin County
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
