Any owl that has a screeching cry.

Roget 412: cry etc. v.; crying etc. v.; bowwow, ululation, latration^†, belling; reboation^†; wood-note; insect cry, fritiniancy^†, drone; screech owl; cuckoo.    wailing (lamentation) 839.    ... show more

Small North American owl having hornlike tufts of feathers whose call sounds like a quavering whistle.

synonym: Otus asio.