Eastern Screech Owl in Tree Cavity 2021

[@debwoods5834]

Look at the colors and how the bird just blends into the tree. So amazing. All glory to God for His creation!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

They are PERFECTLY camouflaged!

[@johnhartley3596]

I live in the northeast and have been birding since my late teens ( I’m now 68). Although I’ve always looked for them, I’ve never been fortunate enough to observe an Eastern Screech Owl.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I really think I've been lucky. I mostly found this owl because of the blue Jays. Look for scolding Jays to find an owl. Good luck.

[@tom-ss2mn]

They really blend in with the surroudings

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I know. Makes me think we often don't see them because of it.

[@crzrck]

They are hands down my favorite bird of prey they are actually cute. They have a very unique haunting call. It has been a very long time since I've seen one in the wild. I know that they are often on the menu of their larger cousins

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

They are so incredible. They are supposedly common but I rarely see or hear them. Look for blue jays and you may find one. The only other common owl around here is the great horned. I think this screech hangs out near the house to avoid the great horned.

[@crzrck]

@@BackyardBirdsUS they were very visible and very common in Florida when I was there last.. I saw one in almost every cavity I saw in a tree. A lot of prey for them their small lizards frogs everywhere period and these northern areas they're kind of limited to rodents and small birds

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

So you think they are less common in the north? I wonder how they survive winter when it's below zero. But they obviously find food.

[@crzrck]

@@BackyardBirdsUS.I spent oct-jan in Central Florida in 99-2000...Every sunny winter day I would see Screech owls in every wood duck box I found.My best friends parents had them nesting in an old snag in their yard. If you think about, the abundance of Pileated woodpeckers making nesting cavities and a greater variety of food items is going increase their population.In Florida the small lizards and tree frogs are everywhere..... I have heard Screech owls more than I have seen them at least in Northern IL.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Fascinating. Makes total sense,. More easy prey makes more owls.

[@robertdemers702]

Hi Jeff, nice video. Hope you are doing well. It’s nice to see you on again. It’s winter here in NH, I’m going to start making your homemade suet for our birds again.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Thank you. It's good to be back. I just made suet and birds devoured it!

[@CaseySnyder]

Beautiful bird! You can definitely see how well they blend in with the tree cavity in your video!

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

You said it. I think we just don't see them much. Have you ever found one in all your tree climbing?

[@jameslomenzo1139]

Jeff that's a nice clear video, owl is camouflaged in the sag amazing. I hear they got their name' before they hit their prey, they let out a loud screech. Thanks for the update.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Lol. Never heard that. Very interesting.

[@tonysokaleoralvsky2640]

Nice video Jeff and good to see you again! Last year, I was walking late in a ravine here in Toronto. I saw a small owl in a tree only meters away. Sadley, I didn't have a flashlight so i coudln't identify the bird.

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

I bet you saw a screech owl. Lucky you.

[@brentfordsandy6271]

We have a large Barred Owl that hangs out in a tree here at dusk quite often in Oregon... They've been known to attack people wearing hats at a park near here

[@JB-uv4hm]

Stop slandering owls. Nobody’s been hurt by a barred owl, but how many owls have been killed because of you internet drama queens?

[@brentfordsandy6271]

The barred owl has clawed at least three people outside the state Capitol in Salem in a series of attacks since late November, city parks department spokeswoman Tibby Larson said. “It's silent. You're just walking along, minding your own business, and an owl comes silently at you from behind,” Larson said.

[@brentfordsandy6271]

@@JB-uv4hm What's that again? Nobody asked you... Drama Queen

[@BackyardBirdsUS]

Do you have any proof or just word of mouth? I've never heard of owls attacking people.

[@brentfordsandy6271]

@@BackyardBirdsUS Google barred owl attack Salem Oregon... I did get the people wearing hats part wrong.. but this was reported in the paper and on the news both