screech owl
C1Specialist, Literary, Informal (for figurative use)
Definition
Meaning
A small owl, particularly of the genus Megascops, known for its piercing, trilling cry rather than a hoot.
1. Any small owl with a shrill, eerie call. 2. (Informal, dated) A person, especially a woman or child, who makes loud, shrill noises.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers primarily to a specific type of owl in North and South America, but is also used generically in British English for owls with similar calls, like the barn owl.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'screech owl' refers specifically to species of the genus Megascops. In the UK, the term is less specific and can refer to any owl with a screeching call, most commonly the barn owl (Tyto alba).
Connotations
The literal meaning is neutral. The figurative, informal use ('a noisy person') is mildly pejorative and somewhat archaic.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the prevalence of the specific species. In British English, 'barn owl' is the more common term for the bird often associated with a screech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The screech owl [verb: screeched/called/hooted/nested].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to the phrase.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and environmental biology texts.
Everyday
Used when describing night-time sounds or wildlife encounters.
Technical
Used as a common name for specific owl species in field guides and scientific communication.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We could hear an owl screeching in the old oak tree.
American English
- The owl screeched right outside our bedroom window.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as a standalone adverb.]
American English
- [Not applicable as a standalone adverb.]
adjective
British English
- We heard a screech-owl call from the church tower.
American English
- He recorded the distinctive screech-owl trill for his project.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I heard a bird at night. Was it a screech owl?
- The sound we heard wasn't a normal hoot; it was a screech owl.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'SCREECH!' and the image of an OWL — the bird that screeches.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SCREECH OWL IS A HARBINGER (of night, foreboding, or wilderness).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'кричащая сова'. The standard Russian term is 'сипуха' (for barn owl) or 'совка' (for screech-owls of genus Otus/Megascops).
- Do not confuse with 'филин' (eagle-owl), which is a much larger bird.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'screach owl' or 'scritch owl'.
- Capitalisation: It is not a proper noun unless part of a specific name (e.g., 'Eastern Screech Owl').
- Using it to describe all owls.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'screech owl' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, people often use 'screech owl' to mean a barn owl because of its call. In the Americas, 'screech owl' refers to different, smaller species in the genus Megascops.
It does not hoot. Its call is a trembling, mournful trill or a series of high-pitched whistles, often described as eerie or ghostly.
No, they are small, reclusive owls that eat insects and small rodents. They pose no threat to humans.
Yes, but it is an old-fashioned, informal, and mildly insulting term for someone (often a woman or child) who is loud and shrill. It is rarely used in modern conversation.