Screech owls measure about 10 inches long and are the only small owls with ear tufts. Most Screech owls have from four to six young. Screech owls may be reddish or grayish in color. They eat mostly large insects. Most owls eat their prey whole-bones, beaks, feet, and feathers.
Owls often hunt at night in the same area as a hawk hunted by day.
Darkness is no problem for the owl. Owl feathers are soft and fluffy so that the owl can fly silently. Screech owls may give no signs that they are around until dark. The Western Screech owl is classified as Otus asio. Typical owls account for about 135 species.