eastern screech owl (Otus asio)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 8? inches Wingspan: 22? inches

• small, nocturnal, predatory bird

• Large, rounded head with ear tufts

• Yellow eyes

• Dense streaking on underparts with finer barring

• Some birds have rusty plumage, others dark gray

• Sexes similar

Similar species:

The eastern screech-owl is very similar in plumage to western and
whiskered screech-owls and is best separated by voice. Other small
owls lack prominent ear tufts.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 2-7
Length of Incubation: 26 days
Days to Fledge: 27
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly insects, reptiles or amphibians, small mammals, birds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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