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Feeding habits
The feeding habits of the screech owl are somewhat unique. This owl is classified by the “Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior" as an omnivore. It feeds on many types of insects and mammals. The diet, as stated by Sibley, includes mice, voles, shrews, snakes, lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets and moths. A screech owl can snatch June bugs from twigs in addition to catching them in midair.
It also preys on birds roosting at night in trees. As with all owls, its hunting skill is a combination of acute hearing ability along with exceptional night vision. We have found here on Long Mountain Road the remains of Blue Jays and Northern Flickers in our wood duck boxes, victims of the screech owl.
The screech owl is only seven to 10 inches long but is not afraid to prey on something larger than themselves. Screech owls use box cavities here every fall and winter for roosting and dining. We have observed this owl sitting in the opening of a wood duck box, basking in the sun catching the warmth on its face. He closes his eyes or opens only one when I walk by; perhaps he is pretending that I didn’t see him.
The Encyclopedia of North American Birds indicates that the screech owl nests in natural cavities of trees or hollow stumps, or abandoned holes of woodpeckers. Old unoccupied buildings have also housed the owl.
The female normally lays three to five eggs from March to June with the incubation done only by the female. This owl has one brood per year. Both parents feed the young, and the chicks begin flying about 28 days after hatching.
Characteristics
One of the unique characteristics of the screech owl is its coloration. The owls have two color phases or morphs— red and gray. We have had both the red and gray here roosting in our wood duck boxes. According to Sibley, the gray phase owl can have some red offspring and vice versa.
The screech owl has a high mortality rate because of its encounters with automobiles. The owl does much of its hunting near roads and highways as it is attracted to the rodents that dine on partially eaten burgers and fries thrown into
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