Eastern Screech-Owl Photo Gallery

Adult gray morph (McCall's)

Small, with short ear tufts and a dark bill. Gray overall, with dark vertical streaks and fine dark barring. Yellow eyes often hard to see during the day. The McCall's form in southern Texas and northern Mexico has a pale bill, and lacks a red morph.

Adult red morph (Northern)

Red morph is bright reddish brown with darker vertical streaks and some white feathering on the underparts.

Adult gray morph (Northern)

A small, large-headed owl with prominent ear tufts. Occurs in both gray and red morphs. Males and females both sing, giving a mellow tremolo (heard here) and a shrill, descending whinny.

Adult brown morph (Northern)

Brown morph is grayish brown overall with dark streaks and some white feathering on the underparts. Some birds have a pale bill.

Juvenile (Northern)

Juveniles are fluffy and gray with very fine barring throughout.

Adult red morph (Northern)

Typically sleeps during the day with feathers pressed against edge of roost hole to create excellent camouflage. Red morph is rich reddish brown with vertical streaks.