Eastern Screech-Owl

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) is in the Typical Owls family (Strigidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 19,280 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Eastern Screech-Owl: observations by month (U.S.)

About Eastern Screech-Owl

The eastern screech owl or eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio) is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. This species is native to most wooded environments of its distribution, and more so than any other owl in its range, has adapted well to manmade development, although it frequently avoids detection due to its strictly nocturnal habits.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Eastern Screech-Owl by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Typical Owls)

Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus

Barred OwlStrix varia

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia

Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus

Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Long-eared OwlAsio otus

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ