what kind of owl is this?

17 years ago

While decorating our house, we found an owl underneath our porch overhang. Is this some sort of screech owl? We live in Dallas, TX. Thanks!

Dave

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Comments (7)

wayne_mo
17 years ago
Yes, definitely a screech owl! Very cool!

It's an Eastern Screech Owl (Mexican color phase).
jemdandy
17 years ago
Screach owls make a really big noise for their size. I remember the time one night when one sat on the chimney of our old farm house and let out a blood curdling scream. The noise shot down the chimney and filled the small house below waking everyone.
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What do you have in mind? What kind of owls? Owls are pretty social here (big white faced ones). They like a clear path to swoop in and out. Most folks around here just have holes and a pirch in the gable of the barn with a box inside. I've seen boxes in one form or another on top of poles or roofs also. Another common companion is Kestrel falcons. They like the gable holes with just a shelf inside. Dave
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Comments (11)
These guys come around quite a bit, i see them sometimes fly from tree to tree in the evenings. I got these shots probably around 9ish at night. Thanks for lookin guys. Glad there are others who appreciate these little guys. I wasn't sure what kind of owl they are, but they remind me of pygmy owls. They make a faint little noise not like a traditional owl sound or screech
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Comments (10)
We have screech owls who nest in the woods beside the house in our nesting box or in a tree and we treat them like "they aren't there"... LOL as if we didn't spend LOTS of time watching them, esp when the babes fledge. But for the most part, I find whether it's owls, wrens, or something in between, just go about your normal routines and they will adapt accordingly (moving further away from the yard if that's their choice). I'd keep the cat inside "just in case" but don't think the kids will have any problems. Nice pic and aren't you lucky. We feel blessed when the larger owls come into the yard.
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Hello, I'm not sure what kind? I'm trying to get a good look at them without being struck again :0) Lol! I don't think they are super large it happens so fast the wingspan seems about 12-15 inches. They seem to be going between my neighbors pine and mine-so maybe I'll be able to get a picture? Thank you-I'll keep you posted. It's fascinating! ~Cat
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I've never heard a Screech Owl make 'blood curdling' screams. I've always thought that their calls are extremely pretty, though haunting.
aquawise
17 years ago
you never indicated how big or small the owl was? Screech owls do not have horns so to speak. Looks more like a great horned owl.
jemdandy
17 years ago
Screech owls do have small tufts that appears as "ears". In the west, the wihiskered owl is very similar in size and markings and can be differentiated from the screech owl only upon close inspection.

The best identifier is its call. The whiskered owl call has 4 to 9 high-pitched boos slowing at the end. [A Guide to Field Identification,
Birds of North America, by Chamdler S. Robbins, Bertel Bruun, and Herbert S. Zim]
andrevson
17 years ago
Hey that is very cool haa!!! very beautiful one, i do not now much about the owls, but i too think it is a screech owl (just went through google)

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ok_wildlife_control
17 years ago
That is an Eastern Screech Owl. Based on the size of the owl in comparison to the brick ... it's a large adult. A Great Horned Owl would be much much larger ... and the Eastern Screech Owl does has "feather horns".

However ... to be perched or roosted there while you take the picture ... leads me to believe the owl was injured or sick.

Very pretty to look at ... but they are still Raptors ... and therefore still Federally Protected.

Here is a link that might be useful: OK Wildlife Control, LLC

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what kind of owl is this?

Comments (7)

wayne_mo

jemdandy

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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

aquawise

jemdandy

andrevson

ok_wildlife_control

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