[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he most common owl in our area is the eastern screech-owl.
It is a bird that many people try to attract with houses. Generally, to be successful, these houses should be about 15 feet high and in a wooded neighborhood. Don and Nan Perkins of Wimberley and Cara Wernli and Jane Little of Woodcreek have all had success with owl houses.
The eastern screech-owl ranges across the entire eastern half of the United States. It has two different vocalizations – a long, shrill trill and a series of quavering whistles descending in pitch. The quavering call sounds a little like a horse neighing.
Just eight inches tall, this little owl nests in tree cavities and old woodpecker holes. It readily accepts nest boxes.
The most nocturnal of owls, screech-owls do most of their hunting in the first hours after dark, eating everything from large insects to small mammals and an occasional bird. They are frequent bathers and also plunge into shallow water for crayfish and small fish.
As with other owls, screech-owls are sometimes “mobbed” on their daytime roosts by jays and flocks of small songbirds.
Many birders imitate the call of a screech-owl to lure other species into view.
