[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

screech \screech\, n.
   a harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a
   shriek; a scream.
   1913 webster

   screech bird, or screech thrush zool., the fieldfare;
      -- so called from its harsh cry before rain.

   screech rain.

   screech hawk zool., the european goatsucker; -- so called
      from its note. prov. eng.

   screech owl. zool.
   a a small american owl scops asio, either gray or
       reddish in color.
   b the european barn owl. the name is applied also to other
       species.
       1913 webster
see also:
screech bird screech thrush screech rain screech hawk screech owl scops asio 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

screech owl
     n 1: any owl that has a screeching cry
     2: small north american owl having hornlike tufts of feathers
        whose call sounds like a quavering whistle syn: otus
        asio
see also:
otus asio 

Barn Owl >> B Words
Barn Owl, definition of term: Barn Owl
barn+owl_pag1.html