Screech Owl Nest Box (and American Kestrel too)

1 The Eastern Screech Owl is the smallest nativeowl in the Treasure Coast area, reaching a length ofabout 8 inches. The feather ear tufts often cause itto be mistaken for a baby Great Horned Owl; but anactual Horned Owl the size of an adult Screech wouldbe less than ten days old, mostly naked and quitehelpless. Three color phases are common: reddish,grey, and brown. The Screech Owl s name is a mis-nomer, as it never actually screeches. Instead, the callis made up of a series of hollow, vibrating noteswhich may be mistaken for the coo of a bold nocturnal hunter, this owl eats insects,birds, bats, and rodents, sometimes attacking prey largerthan itself.

2 Frequenting both wild and suburban set-tings, it is common throughout the Treasure season extends from about March until sum-mer; nests are built in natural and artificial cavities likewoodpecker holes or inside the rotten eaves of abuilding. Four to six eggs are laid, and incubationlasts about 26 days. Newly hatched Screech owls arewhite and fluffy, looking like dandelion flowers- ex-cept for the presence of two large Owls make excellent neighbors, helpingto control populations of rats, mice, and harmful in-sects. Since their distribution and abundance is deter-mined by available nesting sites, we encourage you tobuild a Screech owl nesting box for your own backyard.

3 A simple nesting box may be made from asingle board, 1 x 10 by 8 feet long (see diagram).Rough cut wood that weathers well, such as cedar,cypress or redwood is preferred, as the box shouldremain unpainted. When complete, hang the box on atree, building, or pole about 15 feet high. Place itwithin the edge of your trees, close to the open owls do not bring nesting materials into theirnests, so you should provide them with wood shav-ings or pine straw. Do not use cedar shavings orsawdust! If starlings or sparrows begin to place theirown nesting materials inside, remove them, asscreechies will not use an occupied Kestrels, our smallest native falcons,will use the same type of nest boxes and would bemost welcome nesting visitors.

4 To specifically encour-age Kestrels, place the box higher, on an isolated liveor dead tree. Good luck!8626 SW Citrus Boulevard, Palm City, FL 34990772-286-6200 voice 772-286-6220 Owl Nest Box (and American Kestrel too)SIDEVIEW1/2 drain holesHINGEto openSIDESIDEBOTTOMFRONTBACKTOP18 15 8 15 26 12 15 18 Plank 1 x 10 x 8 cut diagram3 opening1/2 vent holes10 FRONT VIEWKali, a red phase EasternScreech Owl