Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

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O h i o S tat u s screech-owlThe Eastern screech-owl is easily the most common owl in the state, and occursin every county. They are often plentiful, and searchers making concerted efforts tolocate them can often find 15-20 birds in a few hours. An example of just how commonscreech-owls can be was documented during a 1982 Toledo area Christmas Bird Count.In just a 15 mile diameter area, bird counters found 112 screech-owls in 24 hours!This species is near the northern limits of its range in Ohio, and populations in countiesnear Lake Erie can be vulnerable during very cold or snowy winters. At such times therecan be significant localized mortality.One reason for their greater abundance as compared to our other common owls, thegreat horned and barred owls, is that Eastern screech-owls require much smaller territories.One pair may only require a dozen or so acres if the habitat is optimal. They also occupy abroad range of habitat types that are commonly found throughout the state.Juvenile Eastern screech-owlHab itat screech-owlA generalist, the Eastern screech-owl routinely occurs in a wide array of habitats. Theyoccur in all manner of woodlands, but are least likely to occupy dense older-growth forest,particularly those with a dense understory. Urban and suburban sites that contain at leastscattered large shade trees are likely to have screech-owls, and they are often found in denselypopulated areas.Optimum habitats are areas with scattered large trees and rather open woodlotsinterspersed with fields and pastures, particularly if a stream is nearby.D i e t screech-owlOne of the landmark studies on Eastern screech-owl biology was undertaken overa period spanning over 30 years in northwestern Ohio. This research, conducted byLaurel Van Camp and published in 1975, revealed many interesting facets of their lifehistory, including dietary information. Eastern screech-owls have the most varied dietof any North American owl, with at least 138 species of vertebrates and at least asmany invertebrates documented as prey items. Everything from cedar waxwings andwoodpeckers to a variety of snakes, lizards, salamanders, crayfish, and insects areconsumed. An odd but regular staple of the diet are fish of a number of species,including catfish, minnows, and sunfish.Photo by: Ohio Department of Natural Resources / Al Staffan
C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 23N e s ting screech-owlScreech-owls are obligate cavity-nesters and normally select naturalcavities, such as those formed by broken-off limbs. Perhaps 1/3rd of themwill use abandoned woodpecker nests, and the Northern flicker seemsto be the most frequent excavator of such nest sites. Appropriatelyconstructed nest boxes placed in suitable spots often will attractscreech-owls, too. Nest heights vary greatly, from nearly ground levelto over 60’ high; elevation does not appear to be a major factor innest placement. Placement of a nest box is an excellent way to enticeEastern screech-owls to nest.On average, egg-laying commences in mid-March, and clutchsize is normally four white or off-white eggs, although as few astwo or as many as six might be laid. These are incubated for abouta month, and the young depart the nest about four weeks afterhatching.Vo c aliz ati o n s screech-owlEasily imitated by a good whistler, screech-owls don’t normally“screech”; rather they emit quavering whistles. There are twoprimary vocalizations, and these are often heard and easilymimicked. Males have a lower-pitched voice, and this differencecan be heard if both sexes are calling together. One principalvocalization is a monotone trill; a drawn-out quavering tremolo.This is a “contact song”; it is used between pairs or family unitsfor communication. The other common sound is a descendingtrill, which is reminiscent of a horse’s whinny. Occasionally heardare quiet hoots, barks, or screech-like sounds.Eastern screech-owls often seem ventriloquous and it can behard to gauge how far away the bird is. A calling bird is often closerthan it may seem. Sometimes birds will sing inside nest cavities –often males announcing nest sites to females – and thus the song willbe greatly muffled. The frequency of vocalizations seems greatest onclear moonlit nights.“Red” Eastern screech-owlGreen Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.Cemeteries often provide goodscreech-owl habitat.“Gray” Eastern screech-owlPhoto by: ODNR Division of Wildlife / Jim McCormacPhotos by: ODNR Division of Wildlife / Tim Daniel
Page 1 and 2: OWLS OF OHIO c d g u i d e b o o kD
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Page 5 and 6: with both eyes simultaneously. Anot
Page 7 and 8: M o d i fi ed Fe ath er s owl morph
Page 9 and 10: Pelle t s an d W h ite wa s h findi
Page 11 and 12: Ab o u t this Bookle t and CD owls
Page 13 and 14: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 13O
Page 15 and 16: y people placing nest boxes in barn
Page 17 and 18: BTRACKS7-12arred owlStrix varia (St
Page 19 and 20: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 19D
Page 21: Eastern screech-owlMegascops asio (
Page 25 and 26: Great horned owlBubo virginianus (B
Page 27 and 28: Normally solitary except during the
Page 29 and 30: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 29T
Page 31 and 32: O h i o S tat u s l o ng - e a re d
Page 33 and 34: N e s ting long - e a re d o w lLon
Page 35 and 36: Northern saw-whet owlAegolius acadi
Page 37 and 38: likely. When one is found, a very c
Page 39 and 40: Short-eared owlAsio flammeus (Ay-se
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Page 43 and 44: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 43i
Page 45 and 46: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 45O
Page 47 and 48: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 47
Page 49 and 50: Like the Northern hawk owl and grea
Page 51 and 52: This is one of North America’s mo
Page 53 and 54: This is the smallest owl in the wor
Page 55 and 56: This small owl has a broad but spot
Page 57 and 58: This species has become a symbol of
Page 59 and 60: O T H E R N O R T H A M E R I C A N
Page 61 and 62: Publication FundingFunding for this
Page 63 and 64: A ppa l achi a n Fron tAu du bon So

Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

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