JR the Eastern Screech-Owl sings without even opening his bill and vibrates when he trills. | International Owl Center

The Eastern screech owl does not really screech. Their two songs are an even-pitched trill and a descending whinny. The trill is typically used by pairs to keep in touch, while the whinny is used to announce their territory to ward off rival screech owls. Riker is demonstrating the trill from his nest box. He is most likely communicating with his roommate, Nitro, off camera. | World Bird Sanctuary

The little Eastern Screech-Owl lives alongside people in many suburban and even urban settings throughout the eastern United States. Although widespread, this nocturnal bird, like the Barn Owl and Eastern Whip-poor-will, often goes unseen and is best detected by its song and calls. The screech-owl has a distinctive, whinny-like call. If you've heard that odd sound, you may have an Eastern Screech-Owl as a neighbor! This owl also brings an unexpected visitor to its nest in one of the bird world's

Living in a variety of forest types, the diet of the Eastern screech owl is one of the most varied of all North American owl species. Primary prey is region-specific, with these tiny raptors feeding on everything from insects, crayfish, and earthworms to songbirds, rodents, and amphibians. Hunting under the cover of darkness, screech owls will swoop down from their perch and capture prey, sometimes storing uneaten food items in tree cavities. This red phased screech owl was photographed at the W