| Description |
smallest eared owl in the eastern US; color ranges from grey to brown to reddish, but considered to be found in 2 color phases; gray found mostly in the north; red found mostly in the south; plumage is an excellent example of cryptic camouflage; color pattern of plumage resembles the bark of the trees so closely they are nearly invisible when still; identified by ear tufts and textured coloration |
| Sex |
no visible differences between male and female |
| Age |
up to 13 years |
| Length |
7-10" |
| Wingspan |
18-24" |
| Weight |
5-9 oz. |
| Habitat |
wood lots, heavily wooded regions in rural areas, wooded strips of residential areas |
| Status |
populations currently stable due to its ability to adapt to residential areas; often falls victim to vehicle collisions |
| Range |
United States east of the Rocky Mountains and into northeastern Mexico |
| Behavior |
nests in natural tree cavities, old woodpecker holes or man-made nest boxes; female lays 4-6 eggs that are incubated for 25-27 days; both parents feed the young; owlets leave the nest in about 4 weeks, but will be tended by the parents for another 5-6 weeks; can reproduce at 1 year of age |
| Diet |
mainly insects, small mammals, birds, crayfish and earthworms |
| Vocalization |
call is a long, high-pitched, trilling call |
| Other Information |
- have been known to visit backyard birdfeeders at night, where they hunt from a perched position then swoop down to catch the mice that come to feed on fallen seed
- this bird is fond of bathing and has been known to visit backyard birdbaths at night
- although small, this owl is fearless and has been known to dive at dogs, cats and even humans when defending its young |
