Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Otus
Species: asio

A small owl, eight to ten inches long with a wingspan of almost two feet.

Eastern Screech Owls Inhabit forests, groves, swamps, orchards, parks, small towns, and suburbs in eastern North America, from southern Canada to northwest Mexico and from the Great Plains to the East Coast.

Builds scanty loose nests of sticks, leaves and feathers in natural or abandoned tree cavities, sometimes in barns and sheds or in nest boxes.

Lays around four to eight white eggs which hatch after less than one month of incubation and young leave the nest in about another month.

Nocturnal hunters of mice, insects, frogs, snakes, lizards, crayfish and fish, they usually keep out of site during the day. They stir up a commotion among song birds if they venture out during the day.

The screech owl is more closely associated with man's activities than other owls due to the abundance of prey, numerous nesting and roosting sites, and reduced competition in urban areas.

An owl's fluffy feather edges reduce the noise of flight. Many neighbors are unaware of the Screech Owl's presence until the bird swoops like a shadow toward an intruder, hooting and snapping its bill as it pulls up in the last second.

Since ancient times the owl or those who encounter it have been regarded as unlucky, a superstition perpetuated in particular by the Screech Owls proximity to people, its nocturnal nature and its eerie shivering, descending wail.
They have been made into pets, although it is best for all observed in its own. Left to its choice the Screech Owl is a good neighbor controlling the local mice population.
 

Eastern Screech Owl
Free Woodworking Plans
 

Mount out of reach (10 feet or higher) near woodland edges or clearings, small tree stands or under the eave of a farm out building within moderate distance of wetlands. Face south so they can sun themselves through the hole in winter. Place some wood chips on the floor. Squirrels may use this box.