Within North America, the Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio) and the Western Screech Owl (Otus kennicotti) are the most common. The Latin word Otus means "horned owl."
Despite their name, most Screech Owls do not screech. Their call is described as a sad wail, a long whistle or a quivering voice. It's a familiar sound that many people hear in the woods or even their backyards in the evenings.
Normally, 4-5 eggs are laid in early spring and incubated by mom for 26 days. 3-4 young owls fledge after a month of being cared for by both of their parents. Normal habitat is in the edges of wooded areas.
The Eastern Screech Owl is only 8-10" long, looking like a young Great Horned Owl. It's wingspan is close to 22" and only weighs 6-7 ounces. They are striking in appearance with yellow eyes and distinctive ear tufts, that are not actually ears at all, only feathers. Some of these small owls are reddish in color while other will have gray plumage.
The Western Screech Owl is similar in appearance but has feathers ranging from brown to gray. In areas where their territory overlaps, the Eastern and Western Screech Owls can be identified by their calls.
