Owls (Strigidae)
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio. Insects, mice, small birds and crayfish.
Owls (Strigidae)Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio
- Scientific name
- Megascops asio
- Length
- 6.3–9.8 in
- Weight
- 4.3–8.6 oz
- Nest
- Tree cavity or nest box with wood-chip base
- Entrance hole
- 3 in
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 26–34 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Small owl with ear tufts
- Grey or rufous morph
- Yellow eyes
Voice
Descending whinny and a long even trill.
Diet and feeding
Insects, mice, small birds and crayfish.
Eastern Screech-Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Florida | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Maine | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Montana | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | March–May |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | April–May |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | March–May |
| New York | Year-round resident | March–May |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | March–May |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | March–May |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | February–May |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | March–May |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | April–May |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | April–May |
Frequently asked
What do eastern screech-owls eat?
Insects, mice, small birds and crayfish. At feeders: .
How big is a Eastern Screech-Owl?
6.3–9.8 in long and 4.3–8.6 oz.
Do eastern screech-owls use birdhouses?
Yes — a 3 in entrance, 8 × 8 in floor, mounted 10–30 ft.
Sources
- Eastern Screech-Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Screech-Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Screech-Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.