Interestingly all the images I have through the nineties are of grey morphs or grey phase as they were called then. Recent studies have supported this observation concluding that the grey morph is the dominate colour in the northern range.
Studies also report that eighty percent of all ESOs live in urban settings now as it is believed to be a safer haven from predators. And that the average live span of a ESO is only 2-3 years.
Although there are many species of Screech Owls in the world Canada and the United States have only three main species of Screech Owls. Eastern, Western and Whiskered. I have been fortunate to photographed all three and been extremely fortunate to hear the adorable haunting Morse Code type call of the Whiskered in the still night air.
ESOs come in three morphs. Red, grey and brown with the brown morph the rarest of the three.
Females do range slightly larger than males however there is much overlap making identification difficult.
Screech owls eat a variety of foods including mice, voles, frogs, small birds, crayfish, plus various insects such as beetles, crickets and moths.
The incubation period for ESOs is approximately 30 days with another 30 days till fledge.
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