screech owl
Small nocturnal hunter
A screech owl is a small North American owl with ear tufts and a distinctive trilling or whinnying call—not actually a screech.
The name also applies loosely to various small owls worldwide.
Someone who screeches or has a harsh voice may be called a screech owl: My mother-in-law is a real screech owl.
Hunting bird with talons
- talonsHooked bird claws
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
wingspan · flight · perch · roost · nest · eggs · fledgling · ornithology
Animal being hunted
- huntPursuit of quarry
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pounceSudden attack leap
- swoopRapid downward plunge
carnivore · mice · insects · rodents · small birds · talons · silent flight · strike
Light after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- nightfallOnset of darkness
- darknessTotal absence of light
midnight · nighttime · crepuscular · gloaming · starlight · shadowy · silhouette · eventide
Obscure in meaning
- barkSharp canine vocalization
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- tree cavityHollow space in trunk
blend · adaptation · hidden · disguise · rufous · camouflaged · inconspicuous
Rapid pitch oscillation
- whinnySoft equine call
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
hoot · territorial · mating call · duet · eerie · haunting · shrill · piercing
raptor
Hunting bird with talons
plumage · wingspan · flight · perch · roost · nest · eggs · fledgling · ornithology · birder
prey
Animal being hunted
swoop · carnivore · mice · insects · rodents · small birds · talons · silent flight · strike · stealth
twilight
Light after sunset
darkness · midnight · nighttime · crepuscular · gloaming · starlight · shadowy · silhouette · eventide · dimness
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- barkSharp canine vocalization
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- concealmentAct of hiding something
tree cavity · blend · adaptation · hidden · disguise · rufous · camouflaged · inconspicuous
trill
Rapid pitch oscillation
- whinnySoft equine call
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
whistle · hoot · territorial · mating call · duet · eerie · haunting · shrill · piercing · distinctive
screech owlgreat horned owl
Tufted nocturnal American raptor
eagle owl · barred owl · snowy owl · tawny owl · mourning dove
screech owlsongbird
Melodious perching avian
nightingale · mockingbird · thrush · canary · lark
owl, screech, owls, screeching, screechy, screeches, screeched, owlet, owlish