Watercolor portrait of Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio
Permanent resident Common in many habitats including suburb… Common Trill (Song)

Learn to identify the Eastern Screech-Owl by ear. Master the "ghostly whinny" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“tremolo trill”

What the Eastern Screech-Owl sounds like

Eastern Screech-Owls occur in two color morphs, reddish-brown and gray. Both morphs are the same species and often occur in the same area; their cryptic patterns help them blend perfectly with tree bark.

“ghostly whinny”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A soft, even-pitched trill (sometimes called a "bounce song") that lasts 3–6 seconds. It's a gentle, purring trill on one note, used by pairs to stay in contact and by males when courting a mate. Often two owls (a mated pair) will trill to each other in a duet, especially in the early breeding season. Often written as “tremolo trill”.
Don't confuse with:The Western Screech-Owl — nearly identical in size and shape, but found in western north america. visually, western screech-owls have very similar plumage (also gray or reddish morphs) and also have ear tufts. range is usually the determining factor. their vocalizations differ: the western gives a series of accelerating hoots (like a bouncing ball) rather than the eastern's whinny trill. in the very limited areas of range overlap (e.g., parts of texas), voice is the best way to distinguish them.

Lessons featuring the Eastern Screech-Owl

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Eastern Screech-Owl's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Night Shift: Who's Out There? lesson habitat
Night Shift: Who's Out There?
Tier 1 · Right Out the Door
Hoot School lesson habitat
Hoot School
Tier 8 · Edges & Echoes
Start Learning Free

Where you'll hear it

Common in many habitats including suburban neighborhoods, city parks, and orchards.

Strictly nocturnal, roosting silently by day in tree cavities.

Similar species

Western Screech-Owl

Nearly identical in size and shape, but found in western North America. Visually, Western Screech-Owls have very similar plumage (also gray or reddish morphs) and also have ear tufts. Range is usually the determining factor. Their vocalizations differ: the Western gives a series of accelerating hoots (like a bouncing ball) rather than the Eastern's whinny trill. In the very limited areas of range overlap (e.g., parts of Texas), voice is the best way to distinguish them.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Another small owl sharing some range in the East. Saw-whet Owls are even smaller and lack ear tufts. They have a round head, brown upperparts with white spots, and streaky underparts. Saw-whets have dark brown eyes (as opposed to the Screech-Owl's yellow eyes). Their call is a series of monotonic tooting whistles, very unlike the Screech-Owl's trill or whinny. They also prefer dense forests and are migratory, whereas Screech-Owls are resident and found even in suburban areas.

Eastern Screech-Owl song FAQ

What does an Eastern Screech-Owl sound like?
A soft, even-pitched trill (sometimes called a "bounce song") that lasts 3–6 seconds. It's a gentle, purring trill on one note, used by pairs to stay in contact and by males when courting a mate. Often two owls (a mated pair) will trill to each other in a duet, especially in the early breeding season. Listen for the "ghostly whinny" phrase.
How do I tell an Eastern Screech-Owl from a Western Screech-Owl by sound?
Western Screech-Owl: Nearly identical in size and shape, but found in western North America. Visually, Western Screech-Owls have very similar plumage (also gray or reddish morphs) and also have ear tufts. Range is usually the determining factor. Their vocalizations differ: the Western gives a series of accelerating hoots (like a bouncing ball) rather than the Eastern's whinny trill. In the very limited areas of range overlap (e.g., parts of Texas), voice is the best way to distinguish them.; Western Screech-Owls also tend to have slightly different patterns of white spots on the shoulder (scapular) area, but these differences are subtle. Without range or vocal clues, separating them is extremely difficult..
When is the best time to hear an Eastern Screech-Owl?
Strictly nocturnal, roosting silently by day in tree cavities.