Special Feature: Birds of PreyEastern Screech Owl
by Antoneah Armour, age 13
Eastern screech owls are year-round residents of southern Wisconsin. They live in woodlands, suburban parks, and other natural nesting areas. These small owls can grow to be eight or nine inches long and can have a 20-inch wingspan. They are colored with red or gray feathers that blend in with the bark of the trees they live in. These owls have yellow eyes and feathery toes. During the day, screech owls spend most of their time sleeping. They hunt at night, catching moths, fish, and small birds. They mate in late winter and females hold a clutch of two to six eggs for one month. Owlets are born with their eyes closed. After they are born, their parents take care of them for up to two months.
[Source: Southern Wisconsin Atlas And Field Guide]
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