Screech Owl
/ˈskriːtʃ aʊl/noun
A type of owl known for its distinctive, piercing call.
Did you know?In folklore, the screech owl was often seen as an omen of death, believed to carry the souls of the deceased.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
scrīċ
“to cry out, to scream or shriek.”
Middle English
ME
screchen
“to utter a loud, shrill cry.”
Old English
OE
ūle
“owl, used to denote various species.”
15th Century
English
screech owl
“a term for an owl with a harsh, loud call, linked to its eerie reputation.”
Modern English
English
screech owl
“refers specifically to a group of owls known for their distinctive screeching calls.”