|
Eastern Screech Owl |
|
Otus asio |
| Description: 10" A small, mottled owl with prominent ear tufts if raised, yellow eyes, gray and rufous color phases and intermediates occur, pale bill, underparts marked with bars and streaks | Habitat: Open woodlands, deciduous forests, parks, farms, riparian groves, swamps, old orchards, small woodlots, suburban areas. Strictly nocturnal. Fairly common, not commonly seen. |
| Nesting: 3 to 8 white eggs , placed without nest in man-made nest box or natural cavity | Range: Resident of southern Canada south to gulf of Mexico and Florida |
| Voice: high, shrill killy-killy-killy | Diet: mostly small vertebrates, small mammals, birds |
| Notes: common and fearless in defending nest, often striking humans, if discovered in daylight hours will freeze in upright position, |
| When present in Oklahoma: present in all parts of the state year-round |