a small North American owl, Otus asio, having ear tufts and a reddish-brown or grey plumage
2. British
any owl that utters a screeching cry
screech owl in American English
1. US
any of various small New World owls (genus Otus) of a worldwide family (Strigidae), characterized by feathered ear tufts and an eerie, wailing cry rather than a hoot