Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Screech \Screech\, n.
   A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a
   shriek; a scream.

   {Screech bird}, or {Screech thrush} (Zo["o]l.), the
      fieldfare; -- so called from its harsh cry before rain.

   {Screech rain}.

   {Screech hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the European goatsucker; -- so
      called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Screech owl}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (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.

Source : WordNet®

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}]