Eastern Screech-Owl Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Western Screech-Owl
Adult
The Western Screech-Owl looks very similar but has little or no range overlap with the Eastern Screech-Owl. Vocalizations differ: Western has an accelerating series of hoots, while Eastern has a descending whinny.
© Ryan O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 02, 2017Similar Species
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Adult
Northern Saw-whet Owls are slightly smaller than Eastern Screech-Owls and lack ear tufts. They also have less intricately barred underparts.
© Gates Dupont | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, January 22, 2016Main Species
Eastern Screech-Owl
Adult gray morph (McCall's)
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. The McCall's form in southern Texas and northern Mexico has a pale bill, and lacks a red morph.
© dean anderson | Macaulay LibraryTexas, September 10, 2020Adult red morph (Northern)
Red morph is bright reddish brown with darker vertical streaks and some white feathering on the underparts.
© Daniel Irons | Macaulay LibraryMaryland, October 05, 2018Adult 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, 2013Adult 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, 2017Juvenile (Northern)
Juveniles are fluffy and gray with very fine barring throughout.
© Judy Fairchild | Macaulay LibrarySouth Carolina, May 09, 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, 1998Adult red morph (Northern)
Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.
© Tyler Ficker | Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 06, 2017Adult gray morph (Northern)
Usually occurs in well-wooded habitats, and roosts in cavities.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 08, 2012Adult 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, 1999Juveniles (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, 2014Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
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