What does the Eastern Screech-Owl song sound like?

Megascops asio

Song Common

Play the real Eastern Screech-Owl song, the "tremolo trill", and learn what to listen for.

“tremolo trill”

What the Eastern Screech-Owl song sounds 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.

“tremolo trill”

Birders often file this one under Trill (Song).

How to find the bird singing it

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

Small Size: A very small owl (roughly 8–9 inches tall, about the size of a pint glass). Stocky body with a large, rounded head and almost no visible neck.
Ear Tufts: Prominent ear tufts (feather tufts) on the head that can be raised or laid flat. When raised, these give the owl a horned appearance, but when lowered, the head looks round.
Color Morphs: Two color morphs: Gray morph is mottled gray, black, and white; Rufous morph is a mix of reddish-brown, buff, and black. Both morphs are heavily patterned with complex streaks and spots, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark.

When you'll hear it

Winter

A permanent resident; does not migrate. In winter, Screech-Owls remain in their territory. They often roost in cavities or nest boxes during the day to conserve heat. On cold nights they may be less active, but on milder winter nights they still hunt for mice and roosting birds. Pairs often roost separately in winter but remain in the same territory.

Spring

Breeding season begins. By early spring, males sing (whinny and trill) frequently at dusk and dawn to court females and establish nesting territories. They select a nesting cavity (or sometimes a previously used box) and the female lays eggs typically by mid-spring. Both sexes might be heard singing in duet during courtship.

Summer

Nesting and raising young. Eggs hatch in late spring or early summer; both parents bring food to the owlets. The owls may be more vocal around the nest site at night, especially with soft trills to keep in contact. Fledged young may leave the nest by mid-summer but often stay nearby, begging with raspy calls at night while learning to hunt.

Fall

Family units disperse. By autumn, young screech-owls have left to find their own territories. Adult pairs often remain on the same territory year-round. Fall may bring a slight uptick in calling as juveniles seek territories and adults re-establish boundary calls. As leaves fall, they may be more easily seen roosting in tree cavities, though still well-camouflaged.

Eastern Screech-Owl song FAQ

What does an Eastern Screech-Owl song sound like?

How do I tell an Eastern Screech-Owl from a Western Screech-Owl by ear?

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 the Eastern Screech-Owl song?

Strictly nocturnal, roosting silently by day in tree cavities.

More Eastern Screech-Owl sounds

Eastern Screech-Owl: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.How to Learn Bird Songs by Ear: A Gentle Two-Week MethodLearning bird songs by ear sounds intimidating until you realize you already know a few — that robin in your yard, the chickadee at the feeder. Here is the gentle on-ramp: seven birds to learn first, a memory trick that works even if you cannot carry a tune, and a ten-minute-a-day rhythm that turns spring noise into named neighbors.How to Learn Bird Calls Fast: A 7-Day Spring PlanYou have seven days. You want seven birds. This is the plan: one new song per day, a mnemonic per bird, ten minutes you steal from your coffee break. Sunday-to-Sunday, you walk outside and a name lands in your head before you have time to think about it.The Dawn Chorus: Which Birds Sing First Each Morning (And Why)Every morning, as the first light touches the sky, birds like the American Robin and Northern Cardinal begin their symphony. But why do they choose dawn for their most vigorous singing?