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Eastern Screech-Owl Sounds

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

Whinny song (Northern)
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New York, September 09, 1979Recorded by Hugh P. McIsaac | Macaulay Library
Trill song (Northern)
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Maryland, July 23, 2000Recorded by Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Calls and bill claps (Northern)
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Maryland, July 12, 1998Recorded by Wil Hershberger | Macaulay Library
Song (McCall's)
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Texas, April 22, 1998Recorded by Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay Library

Sounds provided by Macaulay Library.
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive.

Songs

Both males and females sing. Their most common sounds are an even-pitched trill, often called a “bounce song” or tremolo; and a shrill, descending whinny. The tremolo is used by pairs or families to keep in touch and is 3–6 seconds long. The whinny is 0.5–2 seconds long and is used to defend territories. These two songs may be given one after the other. Mated pairs may sing to each other antiphonally, both day and night.

Calls

Among the Eastern Screech-Owl’s many calls are soft, low hoots; loud, sharp barking calls that indicate alarm or agitation; and, true to their name, screeches—typically given by adults defending nests or fledglings. A three- or four-note chuckle or rattle denotes annoyance, as when a bird is being mobbed.

Other Sounds

Annoyed screech-owls make a clacking sound by snapping their bill mandibles together. Captured birds may hiss as part of a threat display.

Compare with Similar Species

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Western Screech-Owl Adult is similar to Eastern Screech-Owl

Western Screech-Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl Adult is similar to Eastern Screech-Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

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Species in This Family

Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family:Strigidae)

Flammulated Owl

Flammulated Owl

Western Screech-Owl

Western Screech-Owl

Eastern Screech-Owl

Eastern Screech-Owl

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Northern Hawk Owl

Northern Hawk Owl

Northern Pygmy-Owl

Northern Pygmy-Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read

NestWatch
Build a Nest Box for Eastern Screech-Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl Camouflage
Bird Academy
The Distinctive Calls of Owls: A Sampler

BirdSleuth
Dissecting the Food Web: An Owl Pellet Investigation
Living Bird Magazine
Raptors and Rat Poison
Bird ID Skills: How to Learn Bird Songs and Calls

Eastern Screech-Owl

Overview
ID Info
Life History
Maps
Sounds
Merlin Bird ID

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