Screech owls are small owls native to North America. They get their name from their eerie, shrill call. These owls come in two color variations – gray and red. Both color variations have ear tufts, yellow eyes, and dark bills. Screech owls hunt at night and eat insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. They nest in natural tree cavities but will also readily use nest boxes. Providing screech owl nest boxes is an excellent way to attract these birds to your property.
Do screech owls use nest boxes?
Yes, screech owls are very likely to use nest boxes. Screech owls nest in cavities and are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they don’t excavate their own nesting cavities. Instead, they rely on existing holes and crevices in trees. Suitable natural nesting sites can be scarce, so screech owls will often take advantage of nest boxes provided for them. Numerous studies and decades of observations by biologists and bird enthusiasts have shown that screech owls will readily accept nest boxes. Providing nest boxes is an effective conservation strategy to help maintain or increase screech owl populations by providing additional nesting habitat.
What kind of nest boxes will screech owls use?
Screech owls will use a variety of nest box designs, as long as the box provides a dark and protected cavity. Some key features to look for in nest boxes for screech owls are:
- Internal dimensions should be around 8 x 8 x 16 inches
- Entrance hole should be 3-4 inches across
- Place box 10-30 feet high on tree trunk, pole, or building
- Use rough-cut lumber with grooves inside
- Include ventilation gaps below roof
- Include drainage holes in floor
- Line floor with wood shavings 2-3 inches deep
Boxes made specifically for screech owls are preferable, but they will also use wood duck boxes, saw-whet owl boxes, flicker nest boxes, and others if the entrance hole is large enough. Avoid boxes made of smooth, polished wood or plastics. The rough interior surface allows the owlets to climb out of the box. Ventilation gaps, drainage holes, and wood shavings help keep the box dry.
Where should I place a screech owl nest box?
The best places to position a screech owl nest box are:
- In open woods near meadows, fields, or wetlands
- Along woodland edges and hedgerows
- Near a reliable food source like rodent-rich barns and outbuildings
- Close to existing roost or nest sites
Aim for areas with a mix of woods and open lands. Boxes should be placed on the trunk of a mature tree (if available), 10-30 feet above ground. Boxes can also be mounted on wooden posts or poles. Face the entrance hole away from prevailing winds and rains. Install boxes before breeding season gets underway in late winter/early spring.
What maintenance do screech owl boxes need?
Like any nest box, screech owl boxes need a bit of seasonal care:
- Install in late fall/early winter for upcoming breeding season
- Clean out old nest materials after young have fledged
- Make any repairs needed
- Apply fresh wood shavings before next season
- Avoid any disturbances while nesting season is underway
Annual cleaning and new wood shavings will help keep the box sanitary. Avoid early season maintenance once screech owls start seeking nest sites. Quiet monitoring from a distance is recommended to detect if a box becomes occupied. Proper box placement and maintenance will increase the chances of attracting a nesting pair of screech owls.
What are some common problems with screech owl nest boxes?
Some potential issues to watch out for with screech owl nest boxes include:
- Competition from other species – May need to adjust size if used by larger birds
- Predators – Squirrels, raccoons, and snakes may invade box
- Weather damage – Monitor for leaks, cracks, sun damage
- Pest infestations – Regular cleaning helps reduce risks
- Insufficient ventilation – Can lead to overheating
- Box too low – Higher placement reduces threats from predators
Careful box design, placement at optimal height, and regular checks can help reduce these potential problems. Having multiple backup nest boxes available will also improve the odds of successful screech owl nesting in your area.
How can I attract screech owls to my nest box?
You can increase the appeal of a screech owl nest box and likelihood of attracting screech owls by:
- Choosing box designs specifically made for screech owls
- Placing boxes in ideal screech owl habitat
- Elevating boxes 10-30 feet up trunks or poles
- Orienting entrance away from weather and sunlight
- Using natural wood with a rough interior
- Providing drainage and ventilation
- Lining interior with wood shavings
- Cleaning annually to reduce pests
- Avoiding disturbances during nesting season
- Having multiple available nest box options
Areas near water features provide good foraging. Nest boxes should be sturdy and well-protected from predators. Follow these nest box practices, and you stand an excellent chance of hosting a breeding pair of screech owls.
How many young do screech owls raise in a nest box?
If nesting is successful, screech owls typically raise between 3 to 7 young per breeding season when using a nest box. The average clutch size is 4 to 5 eggs. The female alone incubates the eggs for about 26 days. After hatching, both parents help feed and care for the owlets. The young owls will leave the nest at around 5 to 6 weeks old, but stay close by and remain dependent on the parents for several more weeks. Screech owls are non-migratory and can have two broods per year if food is plentiful. Nest boxes allow these cavity nesting birds to have productive breeding seasons.
When do screech owls use nest boxes in my area?
Screech owl nesting activity depends on your location. Here are the general nesting timeframes:
- Southern range – December to May
- Central range – March to June
- Northern range – April to July
Courtship starts 1-2 months before egg-laying. Young fledge about a month and a half after hatching. Know your regional screech owl nesting dates to properly time placing and monitoring of nest boxes.
How can I help screech owl populations?
Here are some tips for providing habitat and helping maintain healthy screech owl numbers:
- Put up properly-designed nest boxes in optimal locations
- Protect stands of mature trees and snags with cavities for nesting
- Preserve wooded areas that border fields, meadows, and wetlands
- Avoid use of pesticides and rodenticides that reduce prey
- Install owl-friendly fences with gaps at top between posts
- Provide water sources like small ponds or shallow dishes
- Report injured owls to wildlife rehabilitators
Screech owls readily accept nest boxes, so providing boxes where habitat is suitable can significantly help local screech owl populations. Protecting natural areas and food sources will also help maintain screech owl numbers.
Are there any risks to screech owls from using nest boxes?
There are a few potential risks from nest boxes that screech owl caretakers should be aware of:
- Predators may target occupied nest boxes
- Introducing non-native nesting materials may spread pathogens
- Improperly constructed boxes could trap owls
- Increased density of boxes could facilitate disease transmission
- Increased competition for fewer natural cavities
- Reliance on humans for nest sites could reduce natural behaviors
However, most experts agree the benefits outweigh the risks. Following proper nest box protocols and placement guidelines helps minimize dangers to screech owls. Monitoring and maintaining nest boxes reduces hazards over time. Overall, nest boxes seem to boost screech owl productivity and survival without major downsides.
Conclusion
Screech owls readily accept and thrive in properly constructed and placed nest boxes. Nest boxes provide vital supplementary habitat for these cavity nesting raptors. With suitable habitat, protection from predators, and plenty of prey, screech owls can successfully breed and raise young in artificial nest structures. Providing screech owl boxes allows people to contribute directly to the conservation of these small ferocious raptors that help control rodent and insect populations while captivating us with their haunting calls. Carefully maintained nest boxes are a safe and effective way to support vibrant screech owl populations.