Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
They often bring live Texas blind snakes into their nests to act as 'housekeepers,' eating ants and fly larvae that threaten the owlets.
- Scientific name
- Megascops asio
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Strigiformes › Strigidae › Megascops
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlots, and suburban parks with mature trees.
- Diet
- Generalist carnivore eating insects, small mammals, songbirds, and frogs.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Southeastern Canada, Northeastern Mexico
- Size
- Height: 6-10 inches; Wingspan: 18-24 inches
- Lifespan
- 8 to 10 years
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, secondary poisoning from rodenticides, and vehicle strikes.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans but defensive near nests. Keep a respectful distance of 20 feet. If an injured owl is found, contact a wildlife rehabber; avoid handling as talons can cause puncture wounds.
The eastern screech owl or eastern screech-owl ( Megascops asio ) is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. This species is native to most wooded environments of its distribution, and more so than any other owl in its range, has adapted well to manmade development, although it frequently avoids detection due to its strictly nocturnal habits.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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