Eastern screech owl
| Eastern screech owl Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| Eastern screech owl, gray morph | |
| Eastern screech owl, rufous morph | |
CITES Appendix II
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Strigiformes |
| Family: | Strigidae |
| Genus: | Megascops |
| Species: | M. asio
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| Binomial name | |
| Megascops asio | |
| Subspecies | |
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See text | |
| Range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) or eastern screech-owl is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. The species resides in most types of woodland habitats across its range, and is relatively adaptable to urban and developed areas compared to other owls. Although it often lives in close proximity to humans, the eastern screech owl frequently avoids detection due to its strictly nocturnal habits.