Bird Guide

Eastern Screech Owl vs Whiskered 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
Whiskered Screech Owl (Megascops trichopsis)

Whiskered Screech Owl

Megascops trichopsis

Medium88 gForest

Adults occur in 2 color morphs, in either brown or dark grey plumage. They have a round head with ear tufts, yellow eyes and a yellowish bill. The bird looks very similar to a western screech owl, but has heavier barring on the breast, and is slightly smaller in size. They are 6.3 to 7.9 in and have a wingspan of 17.3 in.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Whiskered Screech Owl
Recorded by Ryan Douglas · Madera Canyon Picnic Grounds, Pima County, Arizona, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: datadan · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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