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Screech Owl

Strigidae

Description:

Similar to other owls, the screech owl females are larger than the males of their species. They have a compact size and shape. The screech owls are small and agile. They are about 7 to 10 inches tall and have a wingspan of about 18 to 24 inches. They have prominent, wide-set feather tufts with bright yellow eyes. They have different brownish hues with whitish, patterned underside. This coloration helps them get camouflage against the tree bark. They have well-developed raptorial claws and curved bill. They use them as a tool to tear their prey into pieces that are small enough for them to swallow. They tend to carry their prey to the nest and then eat it

Habitat:

The Screech owl will almost always nest in the cavity of a tree, but will sometimes take over other birds nests, such as a used woodpecker nest that already sit inside the tree.

Notes:

Primarily they will perch and dive, but may hover. Mainly the screech owl will hunt in the woods, but will go out into the open field or a swampy area briefly. They spot the prey, dive very rapidly and grasp their catch with very sharp talons. Screech owls will also capture insects and take them as well. The small prey is usually swallowed in one piece, while the larger prey is carried to a perch and torn with talons. The Screech Owl will eat chipmunks, rats,squirrels, shrews, moles, as well as birds such as the grouse and quail

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2 Comments

MichelleMccracken
MichelleMccracken 11 years ago

Guess I better watch out for my chichuchua, lol she seems to hang in the tree in my front yard, I climbed up the roof to get this shot

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 11 years ago

They tackle animals bigger than themselves,

MichelleMccracken
Spotted by
MichelleMccracken

Largo, Florida, USA

Spotted on Nov 18, 2012
Submitted on Dec 18, 2012

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