Animals & Habitat Areas; Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Birds of Prey Animal Fact Sheet

EASTERN SCREECH OWL
Otus asio

Range:	Found all throughout the central and eastern half of the U.S. western U.S. has Western Screech Owl.	A very small owl weighing about 5.9 ounces and averaging about 8-10 inches in height with a wingspan of approximately 18-24 inches. Seen in three distinct color phases of red, gray, and brown. Also has small ear tufts used for camouflage. Voice is not a screech, but a soft whinny that sounds more like a horse or donkey. Taken by many predators in the wild, especially other birds of prey, feral cats and raccoons. Nocturnal, active at dusk; often seen sitting in the entrance to its cavity nesting site. Click Here To Download Plans For Building A Screech Owl Nesting Box
Habitat:	Variable; wooded lots to urban gardens
Diet:	Feeds on a wide variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates, including insects, arachnids, crayfish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish.
Status:	Least Concern (IUCN)
Approximate Dimensions of Adult:	Adults average between 6.3-9.8 inches in length.
Lifespan:	N/A
Reproduction & Offspring:	Monogamous; 2-8 eggs are incubated for 26 days mostly by the female and once hatched are fed by both the male and female, young will fledge the nest after about 28 days. 1 brood per year