Eastern Screech-Owl

Status One specimen record. Concerning one taken in Halifax County, Piers (1894) writes:

"About the last week in September, 1892 Purcell stuffed a specimen which was killed by 'Josh' Umlah, who lives on Prospect Road, near Indian Lake, to the S.W. of Halifax. It presented the red phase of plumage. The mounted specimen now belongs to Mr. George Beamish of this city."

Fishermen reported to Ian McLaren that a small reddish owl with distinct ear tufts was killed on Seal Island in late winter 1973-74.

Remarks The Eastern Screech-Owl is about the size of the Northern Saw-whet Owl, from which it can readily be distinguished by its conspicuous "ear tufts," wholly lacking in the Saw-whet. It has red and gray phases. Its normal range lies to the south and west of Nova Scotia.