Head to head
Eastern Screech-Owl vs Western Screech-Owl
The eastern and western screech-owls look so alike that range and voice, not plumage, are what actually separate them, and the two species barely overlap at all across the middle of North America.
| Eastern Screech-Owl | Western Screech-Owl | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Megascops asio | Megascops kennicottii |
| Call | Descending whinny or trembling trill | Accelerating series of whistles |
| Range | Eastern and central North America | Western North America |
| Colour morphs | Grey and reddish morphs | Mostly grey or brownish, less variable |
| Habitat | Forest | Forest, desert riparian corridors, wooded urban areas |
| Nest site | Existing tree cavities | Existing tree cavities |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Eastern Screech-Owl vs Western Screech-Owl: common questions
How can you tell an eastern screech-owl from a western screech-owl?
Voice is the most reliable way, since the two look almost identical: the eastern screech-owl gives a descending, horse-like whinny or a soft trembling trill, while the western screech-owl produces a series of short whistles that accelerate in tempo toward the end. Range also helps, since the two species barely overlap.
Do eastern and western screech-owls ever live in the same area?
Only in a narrow overlap zone roughly through the middle of North America; for the great majority of their ranges the eastern screech-owl occupies the eastern and central United States while the western screech-owl occupies the West, so simply knowing your location usually points to the right species.
Which screech-owl has colour morphs?
The eastern screech-owl is the one best known for having distinct grey and reddish colour morphs within the same population, a genetically determined difference in plumage colour that has no connection to age, sex, or season. The western screech-owl is comparatively less variable in colour.