The screech owl, belonging to the genus Megascops, is a small, widespread, and adaptable nocturnal predator found across North America. Despite their common name, these owls are usually heard through trills or whinnies rather than a harsh screech. The genus encompasses over twenty species globally, but the two primary North American residents are common and have successfully integrated into various landscapes, including human-developed areas. Understanding where these owls live depends on differentiating between the two major species and the specific habitats they occupy.
Defining the Major Screech Owl Species
The distribution of the screech owl is divided between two closely related species: the Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) and the Western Screech Owl (Megascops kennicottii). Both are small owls, typically standing eight to ten inches tall with prominent ear tufts and bright yellow eyes. The Eastern species exhibits two distinct color morphs, gray and reddish-brown (rufous), which provides excellent camouflage. In contrast, the Western Screech Owl lacks this rufous phase and is found only in various shades of gray or dark brown plumage. The two species’ territories are largely mutually exclusive, with only a small area of overlap in the central United States.
Geographic Distribution Across North America
The Eastern Screech Owl occupies a vast stretch of North America, extending from the Atlantic coast westward to the Rocky Mountains. This range includes southern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and south to the Gulf Coast and the entire state of Florida. They can be found throughout the Great Plains, particularly wherever pockets of wooded habitat line streams and rivers. The Western Screech Owl’s distribution begins where the Eastern species ends, covering western North America from southeastern coastal Alaska south through the Pacific Coast states and into Mexico and Central America. This species is found throughout the arid regions of the Southwest, including the desert landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico. The two species meet along a narrow boundary in the central part of the continent.
Preferred Ecosystems and Environmental Factors
Screech owls are habitat generalists, but they seek environments that provide a combination of dense daytime cover and open hunting grounds. The Eastern species prefers deciduous woodlands, mixed forests, and heavily treed suburban backyards and city parks. In drier regions, the Western Screech Owl relies heavily on riparian woodlands—strips of trees and vegetation growing along water sources like rivers and creeks. These owls require a sufficient density of mature trees to offer cover and potential nest sites, but they typically avoid deep, unbroken tracts of old-growth forest, where they might face competition from larger owl species. Their presence is often determined by the availability of water, which supports a diverse prey base.
Specific Nesting and Roosting Sites
A major factor dictating where a screech owl will settle is the availability of suitable cavities for roosting and nesting. Screech owls are secondary cavity users, meaning they do not excavate their own holes but instead rely on natural tree hollows or abandoned nests created by woodpeckers. Holes previously used by Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers are often the perfect size. These cavities serve as safe, camouflaged retreats for daytime roosting, protecting the nocturnal birds from predators and the elements. Where natural holes are scarce, the owls readily adopt man-made structures, particularly nest boxes installed by humans, sometimes even utilizing small openings in buildings.