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Screech Owls

FUN FACTS

The Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) is the smallest owl in Florida, measuring just 7–10 inches in height—about the size of a pint glass or a robin. These small predators are experts at camouflage, seamlessly blending with tree bark, and are frequently found in Florida suburbs. They prefer areas with trees, often nesting in abandoned woodpecker cavities or boxes.

• Color : They come in three color phases: grey, rufous (rusty red), and a rarer brown, which are often found in Florida.

• "Screech": Despite their name, they don't screech. Their calls are eerie, descending whinnies or even-pitched trills.

• Master Mimicry: When threatened, they stand perfectly still, stretch their bodies, and narrow their eyes to resemble a tree branch.

• Hunters: They are nocturnal, carnivorous, and eat a wide variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even small fish.

• High-Volume Pest Control: A single family can eat over 1,000 mice per year.

• Small but Fierce: They have a head rotation, which helps them track prey. They are highly active at night and are more often heard than seen.

• Hatching: Eggs hatch asynchronously (at different times), meaning younger siblings are smaller than older ones.