screech owl

noun

1
2
: any of various New World owls (genus Megascops)
especially : either of two small owls (M. asio of eastern North America and M. kennicottii of western North America) with a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head resembling ears

Illustration of screech owl

Illustration of screech owl
  • screech owl 2

Examples of screech owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Occasionally, Navar says, the center will see a kestrel or screech owl. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2024 Instead, great horned and barred owls have grown in number and range, likely responsible for the demise of the screech owl, Pfannmuller noted. John Myers, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024 Wander the fragrant butterfly garden and then head inside to roam its two floors edged with touch tanks filled with sea creatures, displays with resident animals like a skunk and screech owl, and an impressive gallery with seashells from around the world. Miami Herald, 18 June 2024 The cemetery is also home to barn owls, great horn owls, and eastern screech owls. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for screech owl 

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of screech owl was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near screech owl

Cite this Entry

“Screech owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screech%20owl. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

screech owl

noun
: either of two small North American owls that have two tufts of feathers on the head that look like ears

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