A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Megascops asio
The Eastern Screech-Owl is a short, stocky bird, with a large head and almost no neck. Its wings are rounded; its tail is short and square. Pointed ear tufts are often raised, lending its head a distinctive silhouette. Eastern Screech-Owls can be either mostly gray or mostly reddish-brown (rufous). Whatever the overall color, they are patterned with complex bands and spots that give the bird excellent camouflage against tree bark. Eyes are yellow. Eastern Screech-Owls are active at night and are far more often heard than seen—most bird watchers know this species only from its trilling or whinnying song. However, this cavity-roosting owl can be attracted to nest boxes or, if you’re sharp-eyed, spotted in daylight at the entrance to its home in a tree cavity.
Trees define the Eastern Screech-Owl’s habitat. This owl is fairly common in most types of woods (evergreen or deciduous; urban or rural), particularly near water. It shuns treeless expanses of mountains or plains.
This may be the same owl that I spotted in the spring living in this wood duck house. Had not seen it all summer long.
5 Comments
Thanks everyone for the comments. Will try to keep this sighting updated with any news regarding this owl.
Gorgeous! What a privilege to be able to get so close.
What a beautiful capture of this magnificent bird!
Thanks for the comment. This little owl has gotten so used to me that I can now get within 8 foot from its nesting spot. Might be able to get closer but that would require that I wade through water and I fell that this is close enough. I don't want to distrub it.
nice spotting...