Bird Guide

Eastern Screech Owl vs Tropical Screech Owl

Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)

Eastern Screech Owl

Megascops asio

Medium180 gWoodland

Adults range from 16 to 25 cm (6+1⁄2 to 10 in) in length and weigh 121–244 g (4+1⁄4–8+5⁄8 oz). Among the differently sized races, length can average from 19.5 to 23.8 cm (7+11⁄16 to 9+3⁄8 in). The wingspan can range from 46 to 61 cm (18 to 24 in). In Ohio, male owls average 166 g (5+7⁄8 oz) and females 194 g (6+7⁄8 oz) while in central Texas, they average 157 g (5+1⁄2 oz) and 185 g (6+1⁄2 oz), respectively. They have either rusty or dark gray intricately patterned plumage with streaking on the underparts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Eastern Screech Owl
Recorded by nocoastkyle · Subsong · Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado, United States · CC0
Photo: Chuck Martin · CC BY 4.0
Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba)

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Medium132 gUrban

The tropical screech owl is polymorphic, with much variation in color. It is overall gray-brown or (less commonly) brown or rufous, but always with a relatively distinctive blackish edge to the face and yellow irides. Its undersides are pale with a black "herringbone" pattern. The subspecies differ in the intensity of the colors and the amount of black markings on the upper- and underparts. Adults are 21 to 23 cm (8.3 to 9.1 in) long and weigh 97 to 160 g (3.4 to 5.6 oz). Voice: The tropical screech owl's primary song is "short, purring trill, followed by two accentuated clear notes". The female's song is similar to the male's but higher pitched. A secondary, courtship, song is "a bubbling bububúbubu". They also produce "a variety of cackles and longer hooting notes".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Tropical Screech Owl
Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz @rosaelena_naturaleza · Song · Osma, La Guaira, Venezuela · CC0
Photo: Raul Herbster · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Eastern Screech Owl and Tropical Screech Owl.