Owls of North America: Screech Owls

Just 10 in. long, the Screech Owl has a surprisingly big bark for its bite-sized body!

The male’s most common call is a mellow, muted trill “hoo-hoo-hoo…“, or bouncing ball song, that speeds up at the end, but maintains a constant pitch. It is given by the male during the mating and nesting seasons, but also during the autumn and winter. This call is primarily territorial in nature. A secondary song is a double trill of rapid bursts. Other calls are a soft “cr-r-oo-oo-oo-oo” given as a greeting call, and a sharp bark given when excited. More here.