screech owl

screech owl
1. any of numerous small American owls of the genus Otus, having hornlike tufts of feathers, as O. asio, of eastern North America.
2. (not in technical use) any owl having a harsh cry, esp. the barn owl. Also, screech-owl.
[1585-95]

* * *

Any of numerous owls of the genus Otus (family Strigidae).

Both New World species and Old World species (called scops owls) have a facial disk and ear tufts. In spite of their name, they do not in fact screech. Their colouring resembles tree bark, and they are 8–12 in. (20–30 cm) long. They eat mostly small mammals, birds, and insects. Notable species are the common screech owl (O. asio) of North America, the flammulated owl (O. flammeolus) of western North America, and the common scops owl (O. scops) of southern Europe, Asia, and Africa.

* * *

bird
      any of numerous New World owls of the genus Otus, typical owls of the family Strigidae. Old World species of Otus are known as scops owls. Members of both groups possess a facial disk and ear tufts. Coloured in a concealing bark pattern, they are rather small owls, about 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) long. Many show considerable geographic variation; the northern races are larger but less heavily patterned than the southern races. Distributed almost worldwide, notable members of the genus are the common scops owl (Otus scops) of southern Europe, Asia, and Africa; the common screech owl (O. asio) of North America; and the flammulated owl (O. flammeolus) of western North America. They eat mostly small mammals, birds, and insects.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Screech owl — Screech owls Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio Rufous morph Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

  • Screech owl — Screech Screech, n. A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream. [1913 Webster] {Screech bird}, or {Screech thrush} (Zo[ o]l.), the fieldfare; so called from its harsh cry before rain. {Screech rain}. {Screech… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • screech owl — n. ☆ 1. any of various small New World owls (genus Otus) of a worldwide family (Strigidae), characterized by feathered ear tufts and an eerie, wailing cry rather than a hoot 2. Brit. any owl with such a cry …   English World dictionary

  • screech owl — screech′ owl n. orn any of several small New World owls of the genus Otus, having hornlike tufts of feathers, as O. asio, of E North America …   From formal English to slang

  • Screech-owl — Taxobox name = Screech owls image width = 210px image caption = Eastern Screech owl, Megascops asio Rufous morph regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves subclassis = Neornithes infraclassis = Neognathae superordo = Neoaves ordo =… …   Wikipedia

  • screech owl — noun 1. any owl that has a screeching cry • Hypernyms: ↑owl, ↑bird of Minerva, ↑bird of night, ↑hooter 2. small North American owl having hornlike tufts of feathers whose call sounds like a quavering whistle • Syn: ↑Otus asio …   Useful english dictionary

  • screech-owl — tikrieji apuokėliai statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Otus angl. screech owl rus. совка, f pranc. petit duc, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – apuokėliai siauresnis terminas – afrikinis apuokėlis siauresnis terminas –… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • Screech Owl Sanctuary — is a haven for sick and injured owls located near St Columb Major, England, United Kingdom. The sanctuary hosts hundreds of owls in a number of aviaries organized by species, and in 2002 was the recipient of a BBC Animal Award for its work in… …   Wikipedia

  • screech owl — /ˈskritʃ aʊl/ (say skreech owl) noun any owl with a harsh cry, as the barn owl, Tyto alba, or many members of the genus Otus (distinguished from hoot owl) …  

  • screech owl — noun a) A North American owl belonging to the Megascops genus. b) the barn owl, Tyto alba …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”