From Sheida Soleimani

One species, two stunning looks! Meet two of our Eastern Screech Owl patients-one red morph and one gray morph-currently in care at our clinic.

Eastern Screech Owls come in two main color variations, or “morphs”: red (or rufous) and gray. These color morphs aren’t different species, just different genetic expressions of plumage. Red morphs have warm, rusty tones that help them blend in with reddish bark and autumn leaves, while gray morphs are masters of camouflage against tree trunks and lichen- covered branches.

Both of these screech owlets are growing fast and doing great in care-and it’s been such a treat to see the contrast between their feathers as they develop. Whether red or gray, they each have the same tiny trill of a call, the same expressive ear tufts, and the same fierce little personalities. Color morphs don’t change with age or season-they’re determined at birth and stick for life. So these two will always be uniquely striking in their own way.