It’s difficult to ID Eastern and Western screech-owl species—location is your best bet. Hear their call and learn about their size and nests.

The western screech owl’s bill is blackish or dark gray at the base, but gray-plumaged individuals are otherwise nearly identical in appearance and habits to the Eastern gray morph birds.

It had no injuries, according to police. The owl appears to be an eastern screech owl, a species native to Virginia. The name comes from their call, which is a screeching noise.

Three of the most common include the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl and the Eastern Screech-Owl. You can also find them on exhibit at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village.