Camden Lifestyle Magazine Issue 02 "The Outdoors"

Eastern Screech Owls
Barred Owls- The Barred Owl’s hooting call, “Who
cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” is a classic
sound of old forests and treed swamps. But this attractive
owl, with soulful brown eyes and brown-and-whitestriped
plumage, can also pass completely unnoticed as
it flies noiselessly through the dense canopy or snoozes
on a tree limb. Barred Owls often take up residence in
nest boxes in mature forests. Consider putting up a nest
box to attract a breeding pair. Make sure you put it up
well before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep
predators from raiding eggs and young. Young Barred
Owls can climb trees by grasping the bark with their bill
and talons, flapping their wings, and walking their way
up the trunk.
Eastern Screech Owls - If a mysterious trill catches
your attention in the night, bear in mind the spooky
sound may come from an owl no bigger than a pint
glass. Common east of the Rockies in woods, suburbs,
and parks, the Eastern Screech Owl is found wherever
trees are, and they’re even willing to nest in backyard
nest boxes. These supremely camouflaged birds hide
out in nooks and tree crannies through the day, so train
your ears and listen for them at night. Eastern Screech
Owls readily accept nest boxes; consider putting one up
to attract a breeding pair. Make sure you put it up well
before breeding season. Attach a guard to keep predators
from raiding eggs and young. Nestling Screech
Owls fight fiercely among themselves for food, and
sometimes even kill their smallest sibling. This behavior,
known as siblicide, is not uncommon among birds such
as hawks, owls, and herons, and is often a result of poor
breeding conditions in a given year.
Short Eared Owl