Screech-owls are nocturnal birds of prey that are found throughout North and South America. They get their name from their eerie, shrill call that can be heard at night. Screech-owls belong to the genus Megascops and there are around 20 recognized species. They are small to medium-sized owls, ranging from 19-27cm in length. Screech-owls hunt at night, feeding mainly on insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. They nest in tree cavities or old woodpecker holes and lay between 2-8 eggs. The breeding season for most screech-owls is spring. Read on to find out more about how screech-owls find mates and reproduce.
Locating Potential Mates
During the breeding season, screech-owls begin calling more frequently to declare ownership of a territory and to attract a mate. Male screech-owls produce a distinctive whinnying call to advertise themselves to females. The male’s call also lets other males in the area know that his territory is occupied. Females respond back with a shrill descending call if they are interested. Screech-owls have excellent low-light vision and hearing which helps them locate potential mates at night. Pairs bond through duetting – matching their calls together. This helps synchronize breeding cycles between the male and female.
Courtship
Once a pair of screech-owls has bonded, the courtship process continues. The male frequently brings food to the female, such as insects, small mammals and other prey items. This shows the female that he is capable of providing for her and their future offspring. The female grooms the male by preening his feathers. Pairs perch close together and engage in billing – gently touching their bills together. They may also bob their heads at each other while making soft hooting sounds. Copulation usually occurs before the female lays eggs. Screech-owls do not build nests. They rely on finding a suitable cavity in a tree or nest box.
Mating
Screech-owls are monogamous and mate for life. They usually use the same nesting site year after year. To mate, the male screech-owl positions himself on top of the female. He balances with his wings outstretched to avoid harming the female with his talons. The female raises her tail and twists it to one side. This brings her cloaca into contact with the male’s cloaca and sperm is transferred. Copulation only lasts a few seconds. Screech-owls may mate several times over a period of a few weeks before the female is ready to lay eggs.
Egg Laying and Incubation
Within around three weeks of mating, the female screech-owl will lay a clutch of 2-8 eggs. The eggs are smooth, glossy and white. They are laid at intervals of 1-3 days. The female does all the incubating while the male continues to bring her food. Incubation lasts for about 26 days. The female rarely leaves the nest during this time except for short breaks to eat, drink and eliminate waste. She rolls the eggs around under her to ensure even warming. The male roosts nearby to stand guard and defend the territory.
Hatching
Screech-owl hatchlings are covered in fluffy, white down. Their eyes are closed at first but open after around a week. Hatchlings are brooded by the female for the first couple of weeks until they can regulate their own body temperature. The male brings food which the female tears up into smaller pieces to feed the chicks. Chicks fledge at around one month old but remain close to the nest, sheltered and fed by the parents for some time afterwards. Young screech-owls start dispersing and establishing their own territories by late summer or autumn.
Differences Between Species
While most screech-owls share similar mating and reproductive behaviors, there are some differences between species:
| Species | Breeding Season | Clutch Size | Incubation Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Screech-Owl | March-May | 2-5 eggs | 26 days |
| Western Screech-Owl | March-June | 3-4 eggs | 21-28 days |
| Whiskered Screech-Owl | November-December | 2-3 eggs | 28-30 days |
| Tropical Screech-Owl | February-June | 2-8 eggs | 26-28 days |
Defense of Nest Sites
Screech-owls are highly defensive of their nest sites and territory. Intruders are met with agitated hoots, gnashing of bills and even physical attacks in some cases. Both the male and female participate in defending the nest against predators like raccoons, snakes and other birds. Parental defense helps ensure the eggs and vulnerable chicks survive.
Lifespan
In the wild, screech-owls typically live between 6-10 years. With protection from predators, they may live longer in captivity. The oldest known screech-owl was a Western Screech-Owl that lived to be almost 21 years old.
Threats and Conservation Status
Habitat loss is the biggest threat facing most screech-owl species. They rely on mature trees and undisturbed woods and forests. Pesticides reduce their food supply and exposure can make eggshells thinner and less viable. Collisions with vehicles claim many screech-owls’ lives. Despite declines in some areas, most species are still common and widespread. They are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Providing nest boxes can help supplement their natural nesting sites. Protecting woodland habitats is key to ensuring healthy screech-owl populations.
Conclusion
In summary, screech-owls locate mates by calling to each other in the breeding season. Pairs bond and courtship involves food gifts, grooming and duetting calls. Mating takes places before egg-laying. The female incubates the eggs and broods hatchlings while the male provides food. Both parents fiercely defend the nest site. Most screech-owls are monogamous and have similar reproductive habits, though some details vary between species. Overall, they play a vital role as nocturnal predators in many ecosystems across the Americas. Understanding their breeding ecology helps inform conservation efforts for these charismatic raptors.
