Eastern screech-owl

Screech-owls hunt at night from low perches. They nest in tree holes and nest boxes and, unusually, sometimes bring live blind snakes to the nest, where they eat insect larvae that would otherwise infest the nest debris.

Eastern screech-owls are common in suburbs, eating moths, beetles and rodents. They show how old trees with cavities — and nest boxes — keep owls living alongside people.

Nest — A tree cavity or nest box
Eggs — Usually three to five
Incubation — About 26 to 30 days
Chicks — Fed by both parents
Leaving the nest — At about four weeks, before they fly well
Flight — A few days to a week after leaving the nest
Lifespan — Several years

• Young owls leave the nest before they can fly well and sit on low branches; their parents feed them at night. They do not need rescuing unless injured.
• Nest boxes placed in trees in yards are used readily.
• Owls are often hit by cars at night.

• A baby owl on a branch or the ground is orphaned. Owlets leave the nest early and are fed by their parents; they need help only if injured or in danger.
• Screech-owls screech. They whinny and trill; the screech belongs to the barn owl.

• Great horned owl
• Barred owl
• Barn owl