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EASTERN
SCREECH OWL
Otis asio
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Clack, a male Eastern screech owl, was brought to Cedar Run in the summer of 2000 after suffering a severe impact injury. Although his right wing was crushed, surgery saved the wing from amputation. Clack is not able to fly, however, and so will remain at the Refuge permanently.
During his recuperation, it was determined that Clack would make a great candidate for our raptor education program because of his calm disposition. He quickly learned to sit on a glove and follow simple commands. Clack has become an excellent little "ambassador" for Cedar Run. He is a crowd favorite at programs on site, as well as at schools, businesses, fairs, and festivals.
Clack's name refers to the "clacking" sound he'd often make with his beak during his hospital stay. He is the most vocal of our screech owls, all of whom reside in a newly constructed enclosure at the Refuge. Look for them snoozing away high up in the rafters!
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Screech Owl Facts
- very small owl with prominent "ear tufts" (horn-like feathers)
- two mottled color morphs, rufous red and gray
- commonly found in the eastern United States and southern Canada
- lives in almost any habitat such as forest edges, open woodlands, orchards, gardens, lakeshores, parks, and residential areas
- Belongs to a group of carnivorous birds known as raptors, or birds of prey
- Is typically nocturnal, hunts at dusk and through the night
- Exceptional hearing and eyesight
- Fixed eyes and flexible neck (can rotate head 270 degrees)
- Sharp talons used to capture and kill prey; short curved beak used to tear prey apart when too large to swallow whole
- silent flight (fringes on edges of flight feathers muffle sound)
- opportunistic hunter; will eat any kind of small animal, such as mice, voles, songbirds, lizards, snakes, frogs, fish, crayfish, worms, and insects
- commonly vocalizes with a low trill or a descending whinny
- solitary, except during mating season
- nests in natural tree cavities and woodpecker holes; will also use nest boxes
- preyed upon by all larger owls, cats, some larger hawks, raccoons, weasels, skunks, and snakes; frequently hit by motor vehicles
- life span: about 3-7 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity
Links
to more facts about screech owls:
www.owlpages.com/species/otus/asio/Default.htm
animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Otus_asio.html
www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Eastern_Screech-Owl_dtl.html
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