There are three screech owl species found in North America – the eastern, western and whiskered. All told there are 22 known screech owl species with new ones still being discovered, and all are found in the Americas. The eastern screech owl is native to Ohio and is found throughout most of the eastern half of the U.S. – east of the Rockies and from southeastern Canada to northeastern Mexico. These owls are the most common owl in Ohio and can be found anywhere there are trees – deciduous or evergreen. They can be found in backyards, local parks, nature centers, or national forests. The best habitats have scattered large trees and open woodlots interspersed with fields, pastures, and a stream nearby. They are cavity nesters and normally will select natural cavities. However, a nest box placed in a suitable spot will attract screech owls too. It is possible to attract these owls to your yard, but it will take time and patience. You are more likely to hear a screech owl than see one. For starters, they’re nocturnal – they use the darkness to hunt prey and to hide from their predators. Screech owls are highly skilled hunters, but being small can make them easy prey for larger predators. These owls are only 8 to 9 inches tall with a wingspan of 18 to 20 inches. They come in two colors- gray or red patterned with bands and spots – a part of their camouflage. Their feather tufts, or plumicorns, may also be part of their camouflage as they have nothing to do with the owl’s ability to hear. If the owl feels threatened in any way, it will blend in with its surroundings by flattening down its feathers and stretching its body out to be very tall. Owls roosting during the day use their small size and camouflage to blend in almost seamlessly with tree trunks or in natural openings in the trees where they roost and nest. Walking by, you would never suspect the presence of an owl. At night you may hear their very distinctive calls. Although called screech owls they don’t really screech. Their calls include low hoots, trills, barks, whistles, and squeals. They may have a screech-like sound when defending a nest and they will snap their bills when alarmed. Nature has equipped these little owls with everything they need to be successful in the dark of night. They have beautiful pale-yellow eyes that are cylindrical in shape, not spherical, giving them the ability to see clearly in the dark. Like other owls, they have asymmetrical ear openings, meaning one ear is higher than the other allowing them to better triangulate sounds, making it easier to pinpoint the location of prey. Their necks contain 14 vertebrae – two times more vertebrae than in human necks. This allows the owl to turn its head as much as 270° from the original starting point, or about three-quarters of the way around. This allows them to look and listen for their prey without moving their whole body. Their feathers are made for silent flight, soft with fringed edges. And don’t let their small size fool you – they still have the sharp talons and curved bill of a raptor, and they know how to use them – tearing their prey into pieces small enough for them or their young to swallow. These owls are important members of the ecosystem as both pest control and food for others. As a predator they have the most varied diet of any of the North American owls. They are opportunistic feeders eating everything from earthworms to songbirds. They are prey for other owl species, such as great-horned owls and snowy owls, minks, weasels, racoons, and skunks. Like so many other birds, this little owl is affected by habitat loss through logging and clear-cutting. Those nesting in suburbs and orchards are exposed to pesticides and many die from collisions with glass and vehicles. The dark of night and the light of the Moon provide this owl with everything it needs to thrive. They already face many challenges. Let’s protect dark skies so eastern screech owls can continue to play their role in the ecosystem. Written by Robin Gill, Astronomy Education Specialist