The Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) is a small owl found throughout much of eastern North America, including Texas. This nocturnal bird inhabits wooded areas and can often be heard calling at night with its distinctive whinnying call. The Eastern Screech-Owl is well-adapted to urban environments and can be found in backyard woods and city parks across its range. In this article, we will explore the range and habitat of the Eastern Screech-Owl specifically within the state of Texas.
Quick Facts on the Eastern Screech-Owl
Here are some key facts about the Eastern Screech-Owl:
- Scientific name: Megascops asio
- Other common names: Whinnying Owl, Little Horned Owl
- Size: 7-10 inches tall with 20-24 inch wingspan
- Identifying features: Round head with prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, grey/rusty plumage with dark streaks
- Call: Distinctive whinnying or trilling song
- Habitat: Wooded areas including forests, swamps, orchards, and parks
- Diet: Mainly insects, spiders, small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians
- Nocturnal hunter and feeds at night
Range and Distribution in Texas
The Eastern Screech-Owl is found across much of Texas, absent only from the western and southwestern arid regions of the state. Its range covers the eastern two-thirds of Texas including the following regions:
Eastern Texas
In eastern Texas, the Eastern Screech-Owl occupies the Piney Woods and Post Oak Savannah ecoregions. Its range extends throughout the eastern third of the state in wooded habitats.
Central Texas
This owl inhabits central Texas westward to around the Balcones Escarpment. It can be found in central Texas woodlands including the Cross Timbers and Blackland Prairies ecoregions.
South Texas
The Eastern Screech-Owl’s range dips southward along the Gulf Coastal Plain into southern Texas. It occupies wooded habitats in south central and southeastern Texas.
Panhandle and North Texas
This species reaches the northern limits of its Texas range in the Panhandle and north central Texas. It can be found in wooded corridors, shelterbelts, and riparian areas in this primarily grassland region.
Absent from Western Texas
The arid desert and mountainous habitats of far western Texas are generally beyond the range of the Eastern Screech-Owl. It is largely absent from the Trans-Pecos and western Edwards Plateau.
Habitats Occupied in Texas
Within its Texas range, the Eastern Screech-Owl uses a variety of wooded habitat types:
Deciduous forests
Found in forests dominated by oak, hickory, ash, elm, cottonwood, and other deciduous trees. Requires cavities in older trees for roosting and nesting.
Riparian corridors
Inhabits wooded riparian areas along rivers and streams throughout its Texas range.
Pine and mixed forests
Occurs in pine forests, pine-oak mixtures, and other coniferous or mixed woods in eastern Texas.
Orchards and wooded parks
Readily uses orchards, wooded suburbs, and urban parks with mature trees.
Swamps and bottomland woods
Found in the wooded wetlands of eastern Texas including cypress-tupelo swamps.
Population and Conservation Status in Texas
The Eastern Screech-Owl has a large global population estimated at over 3 million individuals. Within Texas, it has a widespread distribution across suitable habitat and is considered common to fairly common in most areas. Partners in Flight estimates a breeding population of 1.5 million screech-owls in Texas alone. Due to its large numbers, the Eastern Screech-Owl is considered a Species of Least Concern by state agencies. It faces no major threats in Texas at this time. The main conservation need is preserving mature woodlands that provide necessary nesting cavities across its range. With sufficient habitat, this adaptable owl should remain common in suitable areas of Texas.
Interesting Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the Eastern Screech-Owl in Texas:
- They are Texas’ smallest owl species with adults reaching only about the size of a robin.
- Screech-owls can be either grey or rufous in color. The two color phases can occur in the same nest.
- These owls are famous for their vocalizations, including their whinnying song, but can also produce a rattling alarm call and a soft knocking sound.
- Cavities in live trees are preferred for nesting, but screech-owls will also readily use nest boxes put up for them.
- While fierce hunters, screech-owls themselves fall prey to larger owls like the Great Horned Owl.
- Eastern Screech-Owls are essentially non-migratory, remaining on territory year-round.
Spotting Tips
Here are some tips for spotting Eastern Screech-Owls in Texas:
- Listen for their distinctive call from dusk to dawn in suitable habitat.
- Search tree cavities during the day to find roosting owls.
- Check areas around security lights at night where owls may hunt for insects.
- Use a flashlight to detect eye-shine when owls are in a cavity or perched in darkness.
- Try using screech or whinnying call playback to elicit a response.
- Set up nest boxes with small openings to attract breeding owls.
- Add wooded habitat features like dead trees which provide potential cavities.
With a little effort, birders can be rewarded with views of this small and endearing Texas owl.
Conclusion
In summary, the Eastern Screech-Owl is a year-round resident across much of Texas. It occupies wooded habitats in eastern, central, and southern regions of the state. Deciduous and mixed forests provide optimum habitat, but screech-owls readily adapt to wooded suburbs, orchards, riparian zones, and parks. With a large estimated population, this species remains common and secure in suitable habitat throughout its Texas range. The Eastern Screech-Owl is a fascinating little owl that adds year-round enjoyment for birders across the state. Protecting mature woodlands and nesting cavities will help ensure thriving populations of this iconic species can persist and be appreciated in Texas for years to come.