Eastern Screech-Owl
Adult gray morph (Northern)
Small, with short ear tufts and a dark bill. Gray overall, with dark vertical streaks and fine dark barring. Yellow eyes often hard to see during the day.
© David Wade | Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 08, 2017Adult red morph (Northern)
Red morph is bright reddish brown with darker vertical streaks and some white feathering on the underparts.
© Adam Betuel | Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, January 04, 2017Adult gray morph (Northern)
Extremely well camouflaged; often presses its plumage against tree bark to blend in. Nocturnal; typically sleeps during the day and is very hard to find.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 23, 2013Not all videos have soundAdult brown morph (Northern)
Brown morph is grayish brown overall with dark streaks and some white feathering on the underparts. Some birds have a pale bill.
© Nick Dorian | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 20, 2017Adult (McCall's)
The McCall's form in southern Texas and northern Mexico has a pale bill, and lacks a red morph.
© Tim Avery | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 13, 2017Adult gray morph (Northern)
Small owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes. Nests and roosts in tree cavities and sometimes in nest boxes.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, December 01, 1998Not all videos have soundJuvenile (Northern)
Juveniles are fluffy and gray with very fine barring throughout.
© Judy Fairchild | Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, May 09, 2017Adult red morph (Northern)
Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.
© Tyler Ficker | Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 06, 2017Adult red morph (Northern)
Typically sleeps during the day with feathers pressed against edge of roost hole to create excellent camouflage. Red morph is rich reddish brown with vertical streaks.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, April 01, 1999Not all videos have soundAdult gray morph (Northern)
Usually occurs in well-wooded habitats, and roosts in cavities.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 08, 2012Juveniles (Northern)
Juveniles are fluffy and finely barred. They often move from nest to nearby branches before they can fly (termed "branching").
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, June 17, 2014Not all videos have sound