It was live animal day at work again today, and the featured organization was Wingmasters, who do wonderful programs with birds of prey. Today, he brought a Peregrine Falcon, a Red-Tailed Hawk, a Barred Owl, and this little guy:
This is a full-grown Eastern Screech Owl. I don’t know why they are called that, as they do not screech. You can listen to their call here. I think it sounds like a ghost horse. Screeches may be small (this guy weighs in at 5 ounces), but they can still tear you up. They are very common here in New England, but are rarely seen since they are almost impossible to spot against a tree. Cool birds.
cool sound!