Animal Guide

Eastern Screech Owl

49 destinations · 25 states

Native Range: North America

Eastern screech owls are small enough to overlook when they are tucked against a tree, which is exactly what makes spotting one so satisfying. At a zoo or wildlife destination, look closely at the feather pattern and rounded head as the owl blends into bark and shadow. It may sit completely still during the day, then suddenly rotate its head toward a sound or shift to a nearby perch. Their ear tufts are not actually ears, but feathers that can change the shape of the head and help with camouflage. When active at night, eastern screech owls hunt insects, rodents, small birds, and other prey. Their flight is remarkably quiet, allowing them to move through woodland without much warning. Listen for their distinctive calls, which can sound more like a soft trill or descending whinny than a typical owl hoot. Native to much of eastern North America, they use forests, parks, and wooded neighborhoods where tree cavities provide shelter. A close look reveals how effectively this compact owl can disappear into its surroundings.

Eastern Screech Owl

Where to see Eastern Screech Owl

49 destinations across 25 states

49 destinations

Abilene Zoo

Abilene, TX

Akron Zoo

Akron, OH

Bear Hollow Zoo

Athens, GA

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Dayton, OH

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Baton Rouge, LA

Brevard Zoo

Melbourne, FL

Brookfield Zoo

Riverside, IL

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco, TX

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, OH

Cosley Zoo

Wheaton, IL

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield, MO

Discovery Cove

Orlando, FL

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Ellen Trout Zoo

Lufkin, TX

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Gulf Breeze Zoo

Gulf Breeze, FL

Idaho Falls Zoo

Idaho Falls, ID

Jenkinson's Aquarium

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

John Ball Zoo

Grand Rapids, MI

Lake Superior Zoo

Duluth, MN

Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago, IL

Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead, NY

Lynnwood Park Zoo

Jacksonville, NC

Mill Mountain Zoo

Roanoke, VA

Museum of Science

Boston, MA

National Aviary

Pittsburgh, PA

North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Pine Knoll Shores, NC

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Phillips Park Zoo

Aurora, IL

Potawatomi Zoo

South Bend, IN

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Minot, ND

Ross Park Zoo

Binghamton, NY

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

Scovill Zoo

Decatur, IL

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Washington, DC

Sunset Zoo

Manhattan, KS

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Scotland Neck, NC

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

The Texas Zoo

Victoria, TX

Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park

Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Zoo

Norfolk, VA

Wildlife Safari Park

Ashland, NE

Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center

Springfield, MA

Zoo Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

ZooMontana

Billings, MT

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Tampa, FL

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