Date: 2/15/26 9:58 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Eastern Screech-Owls Courting
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From: Naturally Curious with Mary Holland <comment-reply...>
Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 8:29 AM
Subject: Eastern Screech-Owls Courting
To: <petersaracino...>
The courtship of Eastern Screech-Owls is underway, and it’s prime time for
hearing their delightful calls. In my opinion, Eastern Screech-Owls are not
aptly named. They make a variety of…
The courtship of Eastern Screech-Owls is underway, and it’s prime time for
hearing their delightful calls. In my opinion, Eastern Screech-Owls are not
aptly named. They make a variety of sounds, including barks, hoots,
squeals and an occasional screech, but the most common calls of both male
and female screech-owls are an even-pitched *trill*, or tremolo, and a
shrill, descending *whinny*.
The trills are given at a single pitch and are used to advertise nest
sites, for courting, when arriving at their nest cavity with food and for
inducing fledging. They are important for maintaining pair and family
contact, as well as for attracting mates. The whinny call is described as
a quavering whistle, much like the whinny of a horse. It is often used for
territorial defense. Whinny calls are most frequent throughout the nesting
period as well as when the young disperse. Trill and whinny calls are
given separately or together.
Some people wishing to see an owl use recordings of owl calls to draw them
in. Birds call for territorial defense and mate attraction and our playing
tapes most likely interferes with their social behavior and could well
increase their stress level.
