Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Eastern Screech-Owl vs Western Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Screech-Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Western Screech-Owl
Western Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Western Screech-Owl
Western Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Western Screech-Owl
Western Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Western Screech-Owl
Western Screech-Owl • Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Screech-Owl vs Western Screech-Owl (Megascops asio vs Megascops kennicottii): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
Two owls only a song apart. Three rules:
- Song: a spooky descending whinny = Eastern; hoots speeding up like a bouncing ball = Western.
- Bill: yellow-green = Eastern; dark = Western (hard to see at night).
- Map: east of the Rockies = Eastern; west = Western.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The two screech-owls, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest — voice above all.
| Feature | Eastern Screech-Owl | Western Screech-Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megascops asio | Megascops kennicottii |
| Length | 8.5 in (21.5 cm) | 8.5 in (22 cm) |
| Wingspan | 20 in (51 cm) | 19–20 in (48–51 cm) |
| Weight | 4.3–8.6 oz (121–244 g) | 3.5–11 oz (100–300 g) |
| Overall Shape | Tiny owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes; red or gray color morphs | A small, big-headed owl with ear tufts — sits motionless in tree cavities by day |
| Male Plumage KEY | Gray or rufous-red, intricately streaked and barred like tree bark; small ear tufts; yellow eyes (sexes alike) | Gray or rusty-brown with dark streaks and intricate barring; yellow eyes (sexes alike; females larger) |
| Female Plumage | Identical to the male, averaging larger | Identical pattern, noticeably larger |
| Bill Shape | Small, yellow-green | Dark gray-green, hooked |
| Tail | Short, banded | Short, barred |
| Core Range KEY | East of the Rockies — woods, orchards, parks and tree-lined suburbs | Riparian woods, oak canyons and suburban trees in the West |
| Migration | Non-migratory resident | Non-migratory |
| Feeder Presence | Never visits feeders; accepts backyard nest boxes and hunts insects and mice at night | Does not visit feeders — attracts one with a deep nest box mounted high on a tree |
| Favorite Foods | Insects, mice, small birds, earthworms | Insects, small rodents, small birds — hunts from a perch at night |
| Song KEY | A descending tremulous whinny and a long monotone trill | An accelerating series of short hoots — a bouncing ball coming to rest; also a double trill |
| Flight Call | Whinny, trill, and soft barks | Soft barks and trills between pairs |
| Population Trend | Stable; commoner in suburbs than most people realize | Stable but localized; loses cavities to development and starlings |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Eastern Screech-Owl — Male
Megascops asio
- Tiny — robin-sized — with ear tufts and yellow eyes.
- Red or gray morphs, both bark-camouflaged.
- The whinnying night voice of eastern suburbs.
Western Screech-Owl — Male
Megascops kennicottii
- Small owl with ear tufts and yellow eyes in western trees.
- Song is a bouncing-ball series of hoots speeding up.
- Roosts in tree holes and nest boxes by day.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Eastern Screech-Owl — Female
Megascops asio
- Identical plumage, larger body.
- Uses nest boxes with a 3-inch entrance hole.
- Suns at cavity entrances on winter days.
Western Screech-Owl — Female
Megascops kennicottii
- Identical but larger.
- Uses old woodpecker holes and deep nest boxes.
- Hunts moths, beetles and mice at the yard edge.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Eastern Screech-Owl | Western Screech-Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Song | A descending, trembling whinny plus a long monotone trill | A series of short hoots speeding up — a bouncing ball |
| Bill | Yellowish to greenish | Dark gray to black |
| Color Morphs | Red and gray morphs common | Mostly gray or brown; red rare |
| Streaking | Fine dark streaks with crossbars | Coarser dark streaks |
| Eyes | Yellow | Yellow |
| Ear Tufts | Present, often raised | Present, often raised |
| Call | Soft trills and barks between mates | Double trills and soft barks between mates |
Song & Call Comparison
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Song: a descending tremulous whinny, plus a long monotone trill.
Calls: soft barks and trills between pairs.
Eastern Screech-Owl voice • Wikimedia Commons
Western Screech-Owl
Megascops kennicottii
Song: an accelerating series of hoots — like a bouncing ball settling.
Calls: a slow double trill and soft barks between mates.
Western Screech-Owl voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Eastern Screech-Owl lives east of the Rockies in woods, parks and suburbs — the default small owl of eastern yards.
The Western Screech-Owl replaces it west of the Rockies in riparian woods, oak canyons and desert towns. The dividing line runs down the High Plains.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Neither visits feeders — but a deep nest box on a tree can host either species.
- Box specs: a 3-inch entrance hole, 8×8-inch floor, mounted 10–30 feet up.
- Attract prey, not the owl: moths at porch lights and an unlit yard corner draw hunting screech-owls.
- Birdbaths: screech-owls visit ground baths at night in dry weather.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Eastern Screech-Owls are tolerant suburban owls — they sun at cavity entrances on cold mornings.
Western Screech-Owls are equally tame around western homes, hunting moths under porch lights within arm’s reach.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Song. Whinny = Eastern; bouncing-ball hoots = Western.
- Map. East of the Rockies = Eastern; west = Western.
- Bill. Yellow-green = Eastern; dark = Western.
- Morph. A bright rufous owl = almost certainly Eastern.
- Trill. Plain monotone trill = Eastern; double trill = Western.
- Contact zone. On the Plains, voice is the only reliable mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell an Eastern from a Western Screech-Owl?
By voice: the Eastern gives a descending tremolo whinny and a long monotone trill; the Western gives a series of hoots that speed up like a bouncing ball. Range also separates them at the Rockies.
Do screech-owls actually screech?
No — the name is misleading. Their songs are soft whinnies, trills and hoots.
What is a “red morph”?
Eastern Screech-Owls come in red and gray color morphs — same species, different plumage. Westerns are mostly gray or brown.
Will a screech-owl use a nest box?
Yes — both species accept deep boxes with a 3-inch hole mounted high on a tree.
Are screech-owls dangerous to songbirds?
They take small birds occasionally, but insects and rodents make up most of the diet.
How do I find one in my yard?
Listen at dusk for the song, then look for a small silhouette in a cavity entrance or follow the scolding of chickadees by day.
Key Takeaways
- Song: Whinny = Eastern; bouncing-ball = Western.
- Map: Rockies split the two species.
- Bill: Yellow-green = Eastern; dark = Western.
- Morph: Bright red = Eastern.
- Boxes: Both use deep nest boxes.
- Name: Neither actually screeches.