Size: Females weigh between 3 - 8 ounces, males from 3 - 6 ounces. The average weight we see here at TRRC is about 4 - 5 ounces. They are very good at changing their shape from a stubby round-looking appearance when resting to a tall, thin appearance when "on alert". When they are relaxed, Screech Owls stand about 4.5 - 5.5 inches tall, but when they go into alert mode, they can suddenly become about 8 - 9 inches tall and look like a stick. Wingspan is about 10 inches.

Range: Screech Owls inhabit the same area throughout their lifespan. They can be found from Manitoba, Ontario and New England south to Texas and Florida. They often have territories of about a 1/2 mile in size, although they are most often found in the immediate vacinity of their nests or roosts.

Habitat: Open woodlands, deciduous forests, parks, towns, scrub, riparian habitats.

Food preferences: small rodents up to and including chipmunks, insects, crayfish, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, fish, small birds, and sometimes other screech owls (rarely). There are marked regional differences in individual diets.

Mating: Monogamous.

Nesting: Takes place in February - April, usually in a tree cavity or hollow stump 15 - 20 feet off the ground, often an old flicker nest holes. The nest is lined with remnants of the hole-making process, plus molted feathers and fur debris from food. Will use man-made nest boxes. Males feed incubating females, young hatch synchronously. One brood per year.

Eggs: 4 - 5 white eggs, about 1.4" in length (think of a Ping-Pong ball).

Average Lifespan: 6 years, although in captivity they sometimes live to be about 10 years old.

Hunting Technique: Perch and glide predator. Nocturnal and crepuscular in habits.

Status: common throughout West Virginia. Numbers declined 1981 - 1986, studies showed decline was partly due to the birds trying to build nests in creosoted utility poles and being poisoned by the creosote.

Notes: Although these little creatures look "cute", Screech Owls are aggressive hunters. To observe them in the daytime, however, eyes shut and standing stiffly in "hiding posture" next to a tree trunk, one might not readily perceive them as the hyper-active predators that they are. Starting at dusk, these dedicatedly nocturnal birds move from their secluded sleeping perches and cavities to hunt from an elevated ambush. This includes perches along roadsides where they have a clear view of the rodents, insects and other small animals that cross the road. Many Screech Owls have been hit on roads . Screech Owls are very fond of bathing, and will do so nightly, if given the opportunity. they have been seen bathing as often as three times a night, apparently for the sheer pleasure of it. Clean feathers in good condition are essential for soundless flight, which is a great asset as they hunt. Screech Owls accept nest boxes as suitable for raising their young.

Clara, TRAC's gray morph Screech Owl comes from Beckley, West Virginia. She was found in the roadway after being hit by a car. The impact shattered her upper wing, and we had to amputate what was left of it to save her life. Casey, TRAC's red morph screech Owl comes from Princeton, also a victim of a car collision. He has a fused wrist from the impact and is unable to fly.

Photo - Steve Coleman