NOTE: This observation is a continuation of earlier posts: Eastern Screech Owl – Winter Visitors and Eastern Screech Owl – A Last Look

These pictures come to us from Sabra Taggart.

For the last several years a pair of Eastern Screech Owls has shown up at Sabra’s house every autumn. They even have a favorite bush in her backyard. The pair typically hang around for a couple of months and then abruptly disappear in early March. Their whereabouts has been something of a mystery—that is until now!

Recently Sabra rediscovered her two screech owls in a Pecan Tree in her front yard, and they were not alone! Joining the two adults were a pair fluffy juvenile Eastern Screech Owls!

Screech owls are cavity nesters. There is a hollow up in this pecan tree somewhere, and the owls have been using it for raising their young. When the babies got too big for the nest cavity they moved out onto the branches of the tree for a little elbow room. The juveniles will spend the next several days engaged in this “branching” behavior as they exercise their wings and prepare for their first flight.

The mystery of the disappearing screech owls has been solved!

Eastern Screech Owl - They're Back!
Eastern Screech Owl - They're Back!
Eastern Screech Owl - They're Back!

NOTE: This observation is continued here: Eastern Screech Owl – Update from Irving

Observation Details

CountyDallas
CityIrving
DateMay 24, 2013
Time of DayAfternoon
TemperatureWarm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
WeatherCloudy
HabitatResidential-Single Family
Type of BehaviorCare of Young
GenderMixed
MaturityMixed
ObserverSabra Taggart

2 Replies to “Eastern Screech Owl – They’re Back!”

    1. Shane, any greenbelt type of park with good bottomland woods should have owls. Listen for their calls as the shadows start to get long in the evening.

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