It’s difficult to ID Eastern and Western screech-owl species—location is your best bet. Hear their call and learn about their ...

The western screech owl’s bill is blackish or dark gray at ... The territorial defense song is a strongly descending and quavering trill up to 3 seconds long, reminiscent of a horse’s whinny.

Sharp-eyed Patton had spotted a basking eastern screech owl at the entrance to its roost ... quavering monotone trill. Come nightfall, the owls go on the hunt. Specialized adaptations allow ...