The Screech Owl 



By WILLIAM DUTCriER 



Chairman National Committee of Audubon Societies 



DESCRIPTION 



Adult Male and Frmalr. — The Screech Owls are dichromatic, i. e., having or producing two colors. Red 

 phase: General aspect above bright rufous, generously streaked with shaft-lines of black; in some individuals the 

 «haft-lines on the head are replaced by bUck spots. The scapular feathers show considerable white; there is also 

 more or less white in some individuals above the eyes. Underneath: base color is white, overlaid with rufous, gen- 

 erally in bars; there is also considerable black in quite a pronounced half-collar; heavy black shaft-lines on breast, 

 smaller ones and feather tips on tlanks and belly. The legs Snd feet are feathered nearly to the end of the toes. 

 Bill is horn color, almost hidden by feathers and bristles. Eyes are very large, bright yellow in color. Gray 

 phase: General appearance above brownish gray; the markings of black and white are almost identical with those 

 on individuals in the red phase. Underneath: gray and white profusely marked with black shaft-lines and narrow 

 black or brown bars; wings and tail in both color phases are barred; ear tufts are erectile and are about one inch 

 long; entire plumage is very soft and fluffy in texture; there is no seasonal change in color of plumage. 



Young. — Entire plumage is regularly barred with gray or white; shaft-lines are entirely absent. 



Siae. — Varies from 7.50 to 10 inches in length from tip of bill to end of tail, the female being slightly the larger 

 of the sexes. 



Xesl. — Is nearly always in a natural cavity in a tree or in a deserted Woodpecker's hole, although occasionally 

 nests may be found in boxes nailed to trees, or in dark corners of barns, out-buildings, etc. 



Eggs — From four to five in a set; pure white in color, and somewhat glossy. 



Disiribution.— The Screech Owl {Megascops asio). A. O. U. Check List No. 573, breeds wherever it is found; 

 its habitat extends throughout temperate North America, east of the looth meridian, between the parallels of 31 and 

 49 degrees of north latitude. Several subspecies and closely allied species have been described, which extends the 

 range of the Mcgascops Owls over nearly all of the balance of western North America, from Sitka, Alaska, on the 

 north, to Guatemala on the south. The differences between these geographical races and allied species are very 

 flight, being mostly variations in size or color. A difference of one-half an inch in the measurement of a wing, or a 

 slightly grayer, or brighter rufous tinge on under side or upper parts, or slightly heavier shaft lines or not quite so 

 many of them, are sutiiciont warrant to describe and name a new race. These are immaterial facts for the farmer, 

 teacher or child; it is enough for them to know that all of these numerous sub-divisions are. after all. Screech Owls. 



In humid localities Owls have a rather darker plumage, while the reverse obtains in 

 arid places. The habits of all these Owls are the same, every member of the familj' being 

 of the very greatest economic value. 



The farmer or student when studying the Screech Owls must always bear in mind the 

 two phases of color — red and gray. A bird of one color may be mated with a bird of 

 another color, and their 3'oung may all be of one color, either red or gray, or the parents 

 may be of one color and the young of mixed colors. However, no matter what the phase 

 of color is, no person can mistake a Screech Owl for any other species of Owl. The only 

 other species that might possibly be confounded with them is the Sawwhet Owl, which 

 lacks ear-tufts, is brown, and does not have black shaft- lines. The Pigmy and Elf Owls, 

 of the West, are very much smaller than the smallest of the Screech Owls, being not larger 

 than a Thrush. A family of birds of such wide distribution naturally has several common 

 names. The Screech Owl is often known as the Red Owl or Mottled Owl, probably 

 derived from its plumage, or Shivering Owl, undoubtedly derived from its notes, and 

 Little Horned Owl, from its ear-tufts, and Cat Owl, evidently from the shape of the head. 



In the East, Screech Owls are very fond of living in apple orchards, especially if the 

 trees have been neglected and are decaying, thus furnishing holes in which the Owls may 

 breed or hide. The farmer who is so fortunate as to have a pair or more of Screech Owls 

 attach themselves to his orchard, should consider himself especially favored, for the good 

 that they will do him by keeping in subjection the mice pest is beyond calculation. A 

 very intelligent farmer living in Seneca county. New York, informed the writer that mice 

 and rabbits, principally the former, had in one winter (1899- 1900) killed every tree in a 

 five-acre peach orchard. The trees were girdled a few inches from the ground by these 



(178) 



