Types of Screech Owls

Over a dozen screech owl species exist, all of which live in various parts of the Americas. Screech owls are generally the smallest type of owl, and usually have dull colors like brown or grey. These nocturnal birds hunt their prey at night, snatching anything from small rodents and reptiles to other types of birds and insects.

Eastern Screech Owl

Found in North American wooded environments, the eastern screech owl are most easily recognized by their large ear tufts. A smaller species of owl, the eastern screech owl will avoid cohabitation in areas where larger owls compete for survival. The eastern screech owl prefers beetles, cicadas, spiders and earthworms. They often exhibit a grey plumage, but can also boast a reddish hue. Eastern screech owls have yellow eyes and beaks.

Bearded Screech Owl

Bearded screech owls have small ear tufts and short tails. Their eyes are yellow and their beaks are a very dull greenish color. Their feathers are an assortment of rusty red, light brown and soft white. It is an endangered species of screech owl, threatened by habitat destruction. It lives in subtropical and montane forests, primarily in Mexico and Guatemala. It is a small owl that feeds mostly on bugs and insects, but occasionally rodents as well.

Rufescent Screech Owl

Another type of owl that lives in subtropical areas is the rufescent screech owl. This bird may be spotted in mountainous areas of Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. The rufescent screech owls is one of the largest species of screech owls, with a length of 10 inches to a foot. Its eyes are light brown, as are its feathers. Though one of the stronger screech owl species, it still prefers to prey on invertebrates. It is not a threatened species.

Guatemalan Screech Owl

A smaller species of screech owl, the Guatemalan screech owl's distinct characteristic is its feathered feet. It also has an especially long tail for an owl. It has medium-sized ear tufts, yellow eyes and a dull green beak. It lives in dense forests between Mexico and Costa Rica. It is sometimes called the vermiculated screech owl, generally when spotted in Panama. As with all other screech owls, the female is always slightly larger than the male.