Leonard Weber

November 19, 2024

The Eastern Screech Owl is an Eliza Howell Park bird species that doesn’t usually make the record of birds observed during nature walks. It is nocturnal — and this nature walker tends to be diurnal.

Daytime observation of Screech Owls in non-breeding season depends upon spotting one that is roosting. Knowing that they sometimes roost in a cavity, a colleague and I  recently checked a Wood Duck nesting box in the park.

Before I opened the box, I knocked on the side to give anything inside a chance to get away. When nothing stirred, I opened the box.

I have done this many times, and this is the very first time that an owl was present. It appeared to be sound asleep.

Screech Owls don’t always use the same locations for daytime roosting. Sometimes, they use tree cavities; sometimes, they find a nook  outside, perhaps close to a tree trunk. They are difficult to spot, in part because of effective camouflage.

They emerge/awaken to hunt at dusk. They are predators with an extensive diet, often hunting from a perch. In the warmer season, they frequently eat invertebrates like insects, worms, and snails. In winter, they tend to eat a variety of small mammals and birds.

Eastern Screech Owl is found in most parts of the eastern half of the country. It does not migrate.

Screech Owls nest in tree cavities and live almost anywhere there are trees. They appear to be comfortable around humans, often found in urban and suburban neighborhoods and parks.

As cavity nesters, they sometimes select a bird box for their nest. This particular box has been used in the past by nesting Wood Ducks.

It is possible that this box could be used by a pair of Screech Owls for a nesting site next year. This individual, I suspect, was not yet focused on selecting a nesting site.

After a hard night hunting, it was probably just seeking a cozy site for a good day’s sleep.