This is a Rufous (brown) morph Eastern Screech Owl. There is also a grey morph but he hasn’t shown up yet. Males claim the holes, the female will inspect it and might move in.
They are small and agile, and about 7 to 10 inches tall and have a wingspan around 18 to 24 inches. We knew he was around but some friends we travel with pointed him out yesterday. This bird is invisible. These shots were as close as we would go, they live here, we just visit.
He did what all Screech Owls do, opened one eye to check us out. I have never seen a Screech Owl do anything other than that.
ACE Basin has four types of owls;
- Screech Owl
- Barred Owl
- Great Horned Owl
- Barn Owl
Not always easy to catch one with its eyes open.
Eye open, singular 😂😂😂😂. Typical Screech Owl move LOL.
I seriously have to look harder up into the trees. I still do not have a photo of an owl. I can’t ever find them 🙂
Most of the time people walk right by them LOL.
Wow! Thats a big hole for a screech. They usually choose a tree hole that is about their size and sleep standing in it. Thats what makes it hard to find screeches.
He likes the spot too. Comes back here every year. There is another nearby with a favorite hole, just not back yet.
I found one last year, but squirrels took over the hole. I hear him nearby but I think the new hole is in private property,